Perfect Sweet Iced Tea
This classic perfect sweet iced tea recipe delivers a smooth refreshing homemade iced tea with just the right balance of sweetness and bold black tea flavor. A staple Southern drink made with simple syrup and brewed black tea perfect for summer entertaining and backyard gatherings.
A classic homemade sweet iced tea brewed with black tea bags and simple syrup for the perfect refreshing summer drink.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
tea
base
sweetener
Instructions
Make Simple Syrup
Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and half cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar fully dissolves about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Brew the Tea
Place 4 black tea bags in a heat-safe pitcher and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. Steep for 5 minutes then remove bags without squeezing to avoid bitterness.
Combine and Chill
Add the cooled simple syrup to the brewed tea and stir well. Pour in 6 cups of cold water and stir to combine. Refrigerate until fully chilled before serving.
Serve Over Ice
Fill tall glasses with ice and pour the sweet iced tea over the top. Garnish with a lemon slice or fresh mint sprig if desired.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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