Making Sweet Tea in 3 Easy Steps

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Sweet Tea is one of those staple drinks for most Southerners. When I was first on my own in college, I would make it for my husband and I. Once, I got the strings too close to the heat source and caught it on fire. As time passed, Brandon taught me an easier way to do things; naturally, I am passing it along.

What is Sweet Tea?

For those who might not be familiar, American sweet tea is a Southern drink that’s as much a part of the culture as barbecues.

At its core, it’s a cold, refreshing iced tea sweetened generously (and I mean generously) with sugar. It is unique because the sugar is usually added while the tea is still hot, allowing it to fully dissolve and blend into the brew. Once it’s sweetened, the tea is cooled down and served over ice—often with a slice of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint, depending on your family traditions or the time of year.

Unlike unsweetened iced tea, which some people sweeten at the table with packets of sugar or syrup, sweet tea has the sweetness brewed in it.

The drink can be found at family gatherings, church picnics, and every diner or barbecue restaurant in the South. For many, it’s not just a beverage; it’s comfort in a glass.

Ingredients

Black Tea: If you will only be making sweet iced tea, try not to purchase tea bags that are individually wrapped. It takes a ton of effort. If you will make a gallon, I recommend getting the family-sized bags as well.
Sugar: Get pure cane sugar if you can.
Water: Since water is technically the main ingredient (besides the tea leaves), I cannot emphasize enough the importance of fresh, clean water. Tap water just will not do!
I once started a teaching job. On my first day, I made tea, and it was awful! I assumed it was the tea bags so I went and bought more. Came back the next day, tried again and had another batch of bad tea. Figured out the water in that town was not very good- so I went and bought a Brita pitcher.
The water was so bad I even had a friend buy a Berkey water system for her office a few years after my story.

Instructions

Start with eight cups (half gallon) of fresh water. Add to a pot and bring to a boil.
Turn the stove off and add the tea bags. Let sit for five minutes.
Using a pair of tongs, take the tea bags out of the water. Add 3/4 cup of sugar and stir until dissolved.
Add the pot of hot tea to a pitcher, then fill the rest of the way with cold water.
Place in the fridge to cool completely- or scoop some ice in a glass and pour tea into the same glass. Enjoy!

Pro- Tip: It will keep in the fridge for about a week- some people say adding a tsp. of baking powder will help it keep longer and give it a clearer color. This is not something I've done but, hey, it's worth a shot!

Sweet Tea Variations

Arnold Palmer: Is my absolute favorite! Fill your glass halfway with sweet tea, then add lemonade (my favorite is Simply Lemonade) the rest of the way.

Why Do People Drink Sweet Tea?

It’s mostly a Southern thing!