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Home » Beverages

Easiest Southern Iced Tea Recipe (3 Methods)

Published: Oct 29, 2022 by Muna · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Recipe Video

This refreshing Southern Iced Tea recipe is perfect for getting that Southern sweet tea fix! All the Southern flavors you’re looking for are in this post.

I’ll also share two other ways of making this delicious iced tea, the cold brew method and a Sun tea recipe. With a video and step-by-step image, you’re going to become a pro at making this incredibly tasty, iced tea!

Southern Iced Tea feature image 2022.
Jump to:
  • 🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED
  • 🔪 HOW TO MAKE
  • 💭 COOKING TIPS
  • 📖 HOW TO SERVE SOUTHERN ICED TEA
  • 💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  • 🍬 Bonus: Two More Ways to Make Iced Tea
  • 👩🏽‍🍳 How to Make Simple Syrup for Sweet Tea
  • 🍹 MORE ICED TEA RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
  • 🌡️ STORING AND REHEATING
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

As you can tell from my Strawberry Iced tea, Sorrel, and Ginger iced tea posts, I love iced tea. I don’t drink enough water, so I use tea as an alternative to getting some flavored water in my system.

🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED

Water: You will need boiling water and chilled water.

Loose black tea: Don’t use Lipton to make Southern tea, it’s not strong enough. Try to use Indian black tea, it is strong and perfect when cold-brewed or used with boiling water. Indian tea also has a hint of sweetness.

Sugar: I have used raw sugar. Hence the color of the tea shown in the images and the video is a little darker than your usual sweet tea.

Lemon or lime juice: You can omit the lemon juice, but it makes this tea super refreshing.

Southern iced tea served with a slice of lemon.

🔪 HOW TO MAKE

The full instructions and a video are in the recipe card below, but let's look at the main steps.

Step 1

Add sugar, tea, and boiling water to a bowl and mix it well. Let it steep for 6 minutes.

Adding tea to boiling water.
Adding sugar to tea.

Step 2

Strain the mixture. Discard the black tea leaves and pour the tea into the pitcher.

Straining tea into a pitcher.

Step 3

To the pitcher, add the chilled water and lemon juice. Mix and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Pouring cold water to the pitcher.
Pouring lemon juice in the tea pitcher.

Step 4

Pour the tea into a mason jar or a glass of ice and serve.

Pouring southern iced tea in a mason jar.

💭 COOKING TIPS

  • You can make this tea without sugar, instead, use simple syrup (recipe in the post), and pour as much as you wish into your glass.
  • In the post above, I have written about how to make cold-brewed tea for less acidity and a sweeter taste.
  • The Sun method is not popular anymore and does not give a strong flavor.
  • I have mentioned the best brands of black tea under the title “What Type of Tea Should I Use?”.
  • You can use raw sugar instead of white. Brown sugar will add a caramel-like flavor to your iced tea.
Southern iced tea close up image 2022.

📖 HOW TO SERVE SOUTHERN ICED TEA

  • To enjoy your iced tea, serve it with a glass of ice.
  • You can also add slices of lemon for a more refreshing flavor.
  • I like to add mint leaves to my iced tea. First, wash the mint leaves and then lightly pound the leaves to release the oils. I add the mint leaves first, then the ice cubes, then slices of lemon, and finally pour the tea into the glass.

💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Iced Tea?

Iced tea is essentially a form of cold tea. It is any tea that is made and then chilled or cooled. It’s usually sweetened, though it’s not necessary.

Where and How did Iced Tea Originate in the United States?

Iced tea has an interesting backstory! The first tea plantations were set up in the United States in North Carolina. That’s when tea was first introduced here.
The first Southern iced tea recipe, aka sweet tea, can be traced back to a cookbook by Marion Tyree called Housekeeping in Old Virginia. It was published way back in 1879!

What is Southern Iced Tea?

it’s a black tea that is brewed and chilled. It’s usually sweetened and sometimes very sweet, so it’s usually diluted in a large glass full of ice cubes.
Southern iced tea, or sweet tea as it’s sometimes called, is synonymous with cookouts, pool parties, patio parties, and all kinds of summer entertaining.

What Type of Tea Should I Use?

My favorite is Assam tea; it is strong and flavorful. Iced tea made with Assam black tea gains more body by the day.
I go for the brand's Society, Tapal Danedar, and Red Label.

Is Drinking Iced Tea Good for You?

Yes! Black tea is packed with antioxidants that help remove free radicals from the body and decrease cell damage.

🍬 Bonus: Two More Ways to Make Iced Tea

Cold Brew Method:

Add all the ingredients except lemon juice to a pitcher, mix well and refrigerate for 9 to 12 hours.

 Use room temperature water when using this method. Strain out the tea leaves, pour the tea back into the pitcher, and add lemon juice.

This tea can stay in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Sun Tea Method 

This way of making tea is not popular nowadays. However, it is the method used in the old golden days.

Many warn from steeping the tea in the sun because of the accumulation of bacteria. If you want to follow this method, add room-temperature water to the pitcher (it better be a glass pitcher) and add loose-leaf tea.

Cover the pitcher and place it where sunlight is, preferably in your yard or near the window.

Let the tea steep for 3 hours and then refrigerate for 4 hours. Strain the tea leaves, add sugar and lime juice to the pitcher, and mix. The tea will taste mellow, and you can keep it in the fridge for up to two days.

👩🏽‍🍳 How to Make Simple Syrup for Sweet Tea

If you feel that the amount of sugar in this recipe is too much for you, there’s a reason why! This sweet tea is always served with a glass full of ice cubes, diluting the tea and hence the sweetness.

But if people in your family prefer different sweetness levels in their tea, skip adding sugar to the tea and make simple syrup on the side to allow everyone to pour enough according to their preference.

  • To make simple syrup, in a pan, add 1 cup water and 1 ¼ cup sugar.
  • Mix until the sugar dissolves.
  • Let the mixture come to a boil. Let the mixture boil on medium-low for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Allow the syrup to come to room temperature and then refrigerate.
  • The syrup can be stored in a jar in the fridge for up to a month.
  • Adding flavors like lemon, vanilla, or mint to the syrup will last for up to two weeks in the fridge.
  • Pour the iced tea into a glass of ice, pour as much syrup as you prefer, and mix.

🍹 MORE ICED TEA RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE

  • Berry iced tea post's feature image
    Berry Iced Tea Recipe
  • Strawberry Iced Tea Made Easy
  • Ginger Iced Tea 4
    Ginger Iced Tea - To My Subs
  • sorrel iced tea 4
    Sorrel Iced Tea Recipe

🌡️ STORING AND REHEATING

How long you store this iced tea in the fridge depends on your method of making the tea.

If you’re using the hot brew method to make this delicious, iced tea, you can store the tea in the refrigerator for up to one week.

For the cold brew method, you can store the tea in the fridge for up to 4 days. And if you’re making this iced tea using the sun tea method, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

📖 Recipe

Southern iced tea feature image 2022.

Southern Iced Tea Recipe

Looking for the perfect Iced Tea or Sweet Tea recipe? This easy recipe is going to give you authentic flavor, and you have three different ways to make it!
5 from 3 votes
Print Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: iced tea, southern iced tea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 7 people
Calories: 198kcal
Author: Muna Kenny

Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 3 cups boiling water
  • 3 ½ cups cold water
  • ¼ cup loose black tea or 9 tea bags or 22gm
  • 1 ½ cup sugar, I used raw

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, add 3 cups of water and let it come to a boil. Once the water boils, remove it from heat. Over boiling the water will change its taste.
  • In a large bowl, add the boiling water, tea, and sugar. Mix to dissolve the sugar. Cover and keep aside for 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Strain the black tea leaves, or in case you are using tea bags, remove and discard them.
  • Pour the tea into a pitcher. Add the cold water and mix well.
  • Add the lemon juice and mix.
  • Refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • When serving, fill your glass with ice cubes then pour the iced tea.

Video

Notes

  • You can make this tea without sugar, instead, use simple syrup (recipe in the post), and pour as much as you wish in your glass.
  • In the post above I have written about, how to make cold-brewed tea for less acidity and sweeter taste.
  • The Sun tea method is mentioned in the post.
  • The best brands of black tea mentioned under the title “What type of tea to use?”.
  • You can use raw sugar instead of white. Brown sugar will add a caramel-like flavor to your iced tea.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.004g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.04mg
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?Follow me on Instagram @munatycooking or tag #munatycooking!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna @ A Savory Feast

    April 07, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    We love our sweet tea here in the south! I could sure go for a glass of this right now. It sounds so refreshing!

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 08, 2016 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you Jenna! This tea is my best friend in Summer 🙂

      Reply
  2. Angie@Angie's Recipes

    April 08, 2016 at 12:46 am

    Growing up, I always drink HOT tea...as HOT as possible. So, still not used to iced tea...but this looks really refreshing!

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 08, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      I understand Angie, I too was hesitant to try it, but it is delicious 🙂

      Reply
  3. David @ Spiced

    April 10, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    As a southerner myself, I totally appreciate a good glass of iced tea! This one sounds amazing, and I like the little lime juice twist you added into here. It's almost sweet tea season... 🙂

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 11, 2016 at 8:14 am

      Thanks for kind words David, Hope you try my version and like it 🙂

      Reply
  4. Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction

    April 11, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    This looks like the perfect iced tea! Looks absolutely delicious!

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 18, 2016 at 6:34 pm

      It's not only refreshing but can be addictive too!

      Reply
  5. Nagi@RecipeTinEats

    April 11, 2016 at 7:58 pm

    How refreshing! A lovely glass of iced tea like this is welcome at my home!

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 18, 2016 at 6:33 pm

      It is the best drink in Summer Nagi 🙂

      Reply
  6. lisa redding

    April 25, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Love a good sweet tea recipe. Thanks for sharing yours.
    .

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      April 26, 2016 at 10:14 am

      You are most welcome Lisa 🙂

      Reply
  7. Chef B

    January 20, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    5 stars
    You got it perfect for my taste! Now I got it! I tried it tonight and it hits the spot. I've never made consistent iced tea and now I can. Thank you!

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      January 24, 2020 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad that you enjoyed the tea 🙂

      Reply
  8. Akil

    July 06, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe. I added more water and lemon slices. Thank you

    Reply
    • munatycooking

      July 07, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      Hi Akil! Thanks for your comment, I'm happy that you've enjoyed My Iced Tea Recipe 🙂

      Reply

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Hello there, and welcome! I’m Muna, the writer, food photographer, and videographer at Munaty Cooking. I’m also the mother of a handsome young man. I’m from and reside in Sharjah. Oh, and there are more fun facts about me!

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