Summer Sweet Tea

Summer Sweet Tea is a wonderful, refreshing summer drink that takes no time at all to make! Serve as-is, mix with vodka or even white wine for a delicious sweet tea sangria.

Summer sweet tea…it’s my downfall each and every summer. I just can’t get enough and I find myself making batch after batch (why does it always disappear so quickly)? Everyone and their mother has a recipe for sweet tea, it seems. I can’t claim that mine is extra-special or especially different from the masses, but I can promise that it has just the right amount of sweetness and that it will make you happy on these very hot days.

Sun tea is my choice method of “brewing” but I don’t always have the patience to wait an entire afternoon for the final product. So, I have used this method more times than not. And I’m not complaining one bit – I love having a quick and dirty sweet iced tea recipe on hand so that I can enjoy it anytime I want!

What Is Sweet Tea?

Sweet tea is an iced tea that is popular in the South and is made by brewing tea, traditionally black tea. Sugar is added for sweetness and it is served over ice.

Summer Sweet Tea Ingredient Notes

• Tea Bags: Use “iced tea bags” not the cold brew kind, try brands such as Luzianne, Lipton, Red Diamond, Tetley or your favorite brand. Black tea bags are traditional but you might try green or Earl grey tea bags or flavored tea bags such as peach or lavender tea.
• White Sugar: The white sugar adds the sweetness of course.
• Baking Soda: My recipe includes a pinch of baking soda which helps to remove the tannins from the tea and, therefore, the bitterness. Which results in a smoother, sweeter tea – and who doesn’t want that? It’s also the secret to a clear tea.
• Garnish: Garnish with mint and sliced lemons or limes, if you prefer. Berries or sliced apples are also a nice addition.

Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe card with exact measurements and recipe instructions.

How to Make Sweet Tea

1. In a large saucepan, heat four cups water to boiling. Add tea bags, turn off heat and cover. Allow to steep, soak in liquid, for 15 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until completely dissolved.
3. Add a pinch of baking soda and stir. Add remaining 12 cups water, mixing thoroughly.
4. Chill in refrigerator and serve over ice and with lemon slices and fresh mint, if you prefer.

Sweet Tea Tips & Variations

Adjust the sweetness – I think this iced tea has just the right amount of sweetness but feel free to add more sugar or less, if you prefer. Make sure the sugar completely dissolves.

Chill thoroughly – It’s not Sweet Iced Tea without chilling and it’s not only refreshing chilled but I think it also enhances the flavor.

Sugar substitute – Whether the goal is to mix it up or go sugar-free there are many ways to sweeten your iced tea without sugar. Try substituting the sugar with honey, agave nectar, maple syrup, coconut sugar, artificial sweeteners or Stevia. You can also reduce the sugar and add fruit as sweeteners as well.

Spiked Sweet Tea – Add a shot of whiskey, bourbon, vodka, tequila or your favorite spirit to the glass.

Sweet Tea Sangria – If you’re a wine and sweet tea lover try this fun sangria recipe with a twist.

Arnold Palmers – Simply mix equal parts lemonade and sweet tea.

Storing – You can store sweet tea in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Continue to Content

Summer Sweet Tea

Yield: 16 cups

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Summer Sweet Tea is a wonderful, refreshing summer drink that takes no time at all to make!

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Ingredients

• 6 of your favorite tea bags
• 16 cups water (divided)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• a pinch of baking soda

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, heat four cups water to boiling. Add tea bags, turn off heat and cover. Allow to steep, soak in liquid, for 15 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until completely dissolved. Add a pinch of baking soda and stir.
3. Add remaining 12 cups water, mixing thoroughly.
4. Chill in refrigerator and serve over ice as is and with lemon slices and fresh mint, if you prefer.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 73Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 0g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.

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Kristy Bernardo

Kristy Bernardo is the recipe creator behind The Wicked Noodle. She's a five-time cookbook author, has taught cooking classes to both kids and adults, and has been creating recipes for nationwide brands since 2009. She learned most of her cooking skills from her mom and grandmother, then honed those skills at boot camp at the Culinary Institute of America.

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