Southern Iced Tea
This refreshing Southern Iced Tea recipe is perfect for getting that Southern sweet tea fix! This classic beverage, known for its smooth and sweet flavor, is a staple in many households. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon, a pitcher of homemade Southern iced tea is sure to delight you.
As you can tell from my Strawberry Iced tea, Sorrel, Ginger iced tea, and Blueberry Lemonade Recipe 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.
Some of the 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.
How to Make Southern Iced Tea
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.
Step 2
Strain the mixture. Discard the black tea leaves and pour the tea into the pitcher.
Step 3
To the pitcher, add the chilled water and lemon juice. Mix and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
Step 4
Pour the tea into a mason jar or a glass of ice and serve.
Tips for the Perfect Southern Sweet Tea
- Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet tea, start with a smaller amount of sugar and increase to taste. Alternatively, consider using simple syrup, which blends seamlessly and allows for easy customization per glass.
- Cold Brew Method: For a smoother, less acidic flavor, try cold brewing. Combine the tea and cold water in a pitcher, refrigerate for 8-12 hours, then strain and sweeten as desired.
- Choosing the Right Tea: High-quality black teas, such as those from India or specific blends designed for iced tea, often yield the best results. Their robust flavors stand up well to chilling and dilution.
How to Serve 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.
FAQ
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.
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.
Storing The Iced Tea
1. Store in the Refrigerator
- Pour the cooled iced tea into a glass pitcher or an airtight container.
- Keep it in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C).
- Avoid metal containers (unless they’re stainless steel) since they can alter the tea’s flavor.
2. Consume Within 3-5 Days
- For the best taste, drink your iced tea within 3 days.
- It can last up to 5 days, but after that, the flavor may become dull or slightly bitter.
3. Keep It Covered
- Seal the container tightly to prevent the tea from absorbing fridge odors.
- If using a pitcher without a lid, cover it with plastic wrap.
4. Avoid Storing Tea with Lemon or Sweeteners
- If you’ve added lemon juice or sugar, the tea may spoil faster.
- Store plain tea separately and add lemon or sweetener right before serving.
5. Do Not Leave at Room Temperature for Too Long
- After two hours, bacteria can start growing in brewed tea.
- Always refrigerate promptly after cooling.
Bonus Tip: If you want to keep tea fresh longer, try making a cold brew version—it has a smoother taste and can last a bit longer in the fridge! 🍹
Southern Iced Tea Recipe
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
- Adjusting Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet tea, start with a smaller amount of sugar and increase to taste.
- Cold Brew Method: For a smoother, less acidic flavor, try cold brewing. Combine the tea and cold water in a pitcher, refrigerate for 8-12 hours, then strain and sweeten as desired.
- Choosing the Right Tea: High-quality black teas, such as those from India or specific blends designed for iced tea, often yield the best results. Their robust flavors stand up well to chilling and dilution.
We love our sweet tea here in the south! I could sure go for a glass of this right now. It sounds so refreshing!
Thank you Jenna! This tea is my best friend in Summer 🙂
Growing up, I always drink HOT tea…as HOT as possible. So, still not used to iced tea…but this looks really refreshing!
I understand Angie, I too was hesitant to try it, but it is delicious 🙂
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… 🙂
Thanks for kind words David, Hope you try my version and like it 🙂
This looks like the perfect iced tea! Looks absolutely delicious!
It’s not only refreshing but can be addictive too!
How refreshing! A lovely glass of iced tea like this is welcome at my home!
It is the best drink in Summer Nagi 🙂
Love a good sweet tea recipe. Thanks for sharing yours.
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You are most welcome Lisa 🙂
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!
Thank you for your kind words, and I’m glad that you enjoyed the tea 🙂
Amazing recipe. I added more water and lemon slices. Thank you
Hi Akil! Thanks for your comment, I’m happy that you’ve enjoyed My Iced Tea Recipe 🙂