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Southern Sweet Tea

5 from 2 votes
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe developer, food photographer and writer View all posts →
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Southern Sweet Tea – Southern table wine or sweet tea is a staple on any table in the South. Black tea, lots of sugar, lemon, and mint.

Ice tea with lemon and mint garnishes, served in clear glasses.

Sweet tea is my husband’s beverage of choice. But he doesn’t like how I make it. He likes how his mom makes it. She is southern, I am not. I can’t compete with that. I do not have tea-making in my blood. I am a Yankee through and through.

But I happen to know that Yankees can make great tea too. My friend Kim’s mom made the best-iced tea ever. I remember many a summer afternoon in NJ being at her house after a day at the beach and guzzling her iced tea. I do not know what made it so good. I think that it had something to do with the pitcher that she made it in. It was metal of some sort and always iced cold. This tea is very similar to that, but I need to get my hands on a metal pitcher.

I too happen to love sweet tea, but I like it to be not too sweet. This recipe is exactly how I like it. Nothing is better or more refreshing than a tall glass of sweet tea with sliced lemons and sprigs of mint. It reminds me of my time at college in Charleston. Carefree, hot days full of sunshine on the beach.

Ingredients

  • 3 quarts of water
  • 4 cold brew large tea bags
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2 lemons sliced
  • sprigs of fresh mint
Fresh lemons and mint on a wooden surface for homemade iced tea brew.

How To Make – Southern Sweet Tea

Step 1: Fill a large container with 3 quarts of water minus one cup. On the stove melt the sugar with the one cup of water.

Steeping tea bags in a glass jar for homemade tea infusion process.

Step 2: Add the tea bags and let the tea steep for 30 minutes.

Freshly brewed green tea in a glass teapot with tea bag, ready to enjoy a relaxing tea moment.

Step 3: After the tea has steeped, add the sugar mixture.

Refreshing homemade iced tea with lemon slices and a metal infuser on a wooden surface.

Step 4: Add the slices of lemons and give it a good stir.

Fresh lemon slices in a glass pitcher for flavored water or recipes.

Step 5: Pour over ice and add a sprig of fresh mint. Summer in a glass.

Refreshing iced tea with lemon slices and mint leaves.
Refreshing iced tea with lemon slices and mint leaves.

Southern Sweet Tea

Bree Hester
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Wait Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 96 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 quarts of water
  • 4 cold brew large tea bags
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 2 lemons sliced
  • sprigs of fresh mint

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large container with 3 quarts of water minus one cup. On the stove melt the sugar with the one cup of water.
    Steeping tea bags in a glass jar for homemade tea infusion process.
  • Add the tea bags and let the tea steep for 30 minutes.
    Freshly brewed green tea in a glass teapot with tea bag, ready to enjoy a relaxing tea moment.
  • After the tea has steeped, add the sugar mixture.
    Refreshing homemade iced tea with lemon slices and a metal infuser on a wooden surface.
  • Add the slices of lemons and give it a good stir.
    Fresh lemon slices in a glass pitcher for flavored water or recipes.
  • Pour over ice and add a sprig of fresh mint. Summer in a glass.
    Refreshing iced tea with lemon slices and mint leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcalCarbohydrates: 25gFat: 0.1gSodium: 24mg
Keyword Southern Sweet Tea
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree Hester

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

Reader Interactions

Published: Jan 12, 2024 | Updated: Dec 18, 2025
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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