Perfect Sweet Southern-Style Tea Recipe Easy Homemade Iced Tea for Summer
A classic Southern-style sweet iced tea recipe that balances mellow black tea with just the right touch of sweetness and a hint of lemon zest, perfect for hot summer days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 black tea bags (Lipton or Luzianne preferred)
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) boiling water
- 3/4 to 1 cup (150–200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- Ice cubes
- Optional garnish: lemon slices or fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Bring 6 cups (1.4 liters) of fresh water to a rolling boil (about 5-7 minutes).
- Pour boiling water over 6-8 black tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or teapot. Steep for 5-7 minutes (6 minutes recommended for balanced flavor).
- Remove tea bags carefully without squeezing. While tea is still hot, stir in 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest until fully dissolved.
- Allow tea to cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes), then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill thoroughly. Alternatively, add ice cubes to chill faster but note it may dilute flavor.
- Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Do not squeeze tea bags to avoid bitterness. Sweeten while tea is hot to dissolve sugar properly. Chill tea in refrigerator to prevent dilution. For extra cold tea without dilution, freeze tea in ice cube trays. Adjust sugar to taste. Lemon zest is optional but recommended for brightness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 24
Keywords: sweet tea, southern sweet tea, iced tea, homemade iced tea, summer drink, black tea, refreshing beverage