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A refreshing glass of Southern Style Iced Sweet Tea sits garnished with a lemon wedge, perfect for a hot day.

Amazing Southern Style Iced Sweet Tea

This recipe delivers truly great, Southern-style iced sweet tea that's full of flavor and incredibly refreshing. The key is using filtered water, making a simple syrup, and steeping the tea just right to avoid bitterness, resulting in a perfectly sweet and clear beverage.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups filtered water, divided
  • 6 family-size tea bags or 1 ounce loose-leaf black tea
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • Ice, for serving
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Large pot
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Stirring spoon
  • Pitcher
  • Refrigerator
  • Ice cube trays or ice ball mold
  • Glasses

Method
 

  1. Make the Simple Syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and the sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
  2. Brew the Tea: Bring the remaining 7 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Remove from heat and add the tea bags.
  3. Steep the Tea: Cover the pot and let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes. Steeping too long can result in bitter tea.
  4. Remove Tea Bags: Carefully remove the tea bags from the pot, being careful not to squeeze them.
  5. Combine and Chill: Stir in the simple syrup until well combined. Pour the tea into a pitcher and refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours.
  6. Serve: Serve over ice, garnished with lemon wedges, if desired.

Notes

Use filtered water for the best flavor and clarity. Do not over-steep the tea, as it will become bitter. Avoid squeezing the tea bags. For a less diluted tea, use large ice cubes or an ice ball. Store leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.