The Ultimate Guide to Making Southern Style Sweet Tea (Sweetened Iced Black Tea)

Some Southerners were probably born knowing how to make Sweet Tea from scratch, but we’ve learned a few inside tips and tricks in our 100+ years in the tea business that might make your next pitcher of Sweet Tea the best ever.

But what is the best ever Sweet Tea?

It’s clear (not cloudy), smooth tasting (not overly bitter), and at the perfect brewing strength (not too strong and not too weak) to handle lots of ice. And, it’s served sweetened and, more often than not, with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Here’s our family Sweet Tea Recipe.

It’s about time we shared our family-tested, time-honored method for making a pitcher of Sweet Tea from scratch. Make a concentrated brew* first, using half the amount of water needed, and mix in the remaining water later. You’ll need a big cooking pot, a big stirring spoon, and an extra-large pitcher (preferably glass) with a top to keep your Sweet Tea fresh in the fridge.

Southern Style Sweet Tea (Makes 1 Gallon)

Ingredients

  • 4 Luzianne® Family Size Iced Tea bags
  • 1 gallon (16 cups) of spring water or filtered water, divided into 2 (8-cup) portions
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, or to taste
  • Sliced lemon, a sprig of mint or thyme, or an orange slice for garnish, optional

Directions

  1. In a pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil; remove from heat
  2. Add tea bags and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes depending on the strength of tea you prefer.
  3. Remove tea bags and stir sugar into warm tea; continue to stir until completely dissolved.
  4. Pour concentrated tea into pitcher and mix in remaining 8 cups water.
  5. Allow to cool to room temperature.
  6. Pour into glasses packed with ice cubes, garnish and serve.
  7. For best flavor, refrigerate in a glass covered container and use within 48 hours.

This is the best way to make classic, traditional Sweet Tea from scratch, but goodness knows we enjoy our variations, too – starting with Luzianne® convenience products like our pre-sweetened Luzianne® Iced Sweet Tea Bags and Luzianne® Sweet Tea Single Serve Cups, as well as other tea types, like Luzianne® Iced Green Tea and Luzianne® Hibiscus Iced Tea. You can also add lemon or orange zest, lemon juice, or lemonade to the warm tea concentrate – or spike it with fruit juices or purees and bourbon, tequila or vodka to make a refreshing party punch.

More ideas: Fresh, Fun Ingredients: The Ultimate Guide To Flavoring Homemade Iced Tea Drinks

*This Sweet Tea concentrate is great for making all kinds of tea-based drinks and cocktails. To make a Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail, combine 1 oz of your sweet tea concentrate, 1 oz of bourbon or similar whiskey, 4 muddled (slightly crushed) mint leaves and 1 squeeze of lemon. Pour over crushed ice and top off with 1 oz sparkling water.