Easy Sweet Tea Recipe

This easy sweet tea recipe is such a refreshing drink to cool down with during the hot summer months! 

This is the best sweet tea recipe to share with friends and family during a nice cozy get-together. Make a pitcher of this delicious drink and everyone will be wanting seconds.  

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Why you’ll love this recipe

This sweet tea recipe is one you’re going to love! It couldn’t be easier to make and only requires 3 ingredients (plus a 4th optional one if you want an extra bit of tart taste). Tea is always such a comforting drink to enjoy, and this sweet tea is no different! 

Ingredients for this recipe

Water: Is the base of this sweet tea recipe
Luzianne Family-size Tea Bags: This is the tea that we recommend for this sweet tea.
Sugar: To sweeten the tea.
Ice: To make this into an iced beverage.
Lemons (if you want): Note: it isn’t real Southern sweet tea if you add lemons.

Substitutions

If you don’t want to use sugar in this recipe, you can also use other ingredients to help sweeten it such as honey, Stevia, or maple syrup.

Equipment needed for this recipe

This recipe is so simple that you don’t need to worry much about any equipment. Some tools that you may find helpful are a wooden spoon to mix ingredients together, a pitcher to add the liquid in, a knife to cut lemons if you choose to add them, and a citrus squeezer could also make the process of getting fresh lemon juice easier! If you want to make your own ice, you may also want to get your own ice maker!

How to make homemade sweet tea

Steps 1, 2, & 3: Bring the water to a boil. Add the tea bags. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Steps 6 & 7: Grab the pitcher with water and pour in the hot tea and sugar mixture. Stir well.

Steps 4 & 5: Remove tea bags. While tea is still hot add the sugar, stirring well.

Steps 8, 9, & 10: Add sliced lemons if you prefer. Add ice. Keep chilled and serve cold.

What to serve with iced sweet tea?

Sweet tea could be paired with many delicious treats and meals to enjoy with family and friends. If you’re looking for some meal options, you may enjoy this tea with this Tuna Casserole Recipe, Easy Ground Beef Pot Pie, or this Pork Chop One Pan Dinner.

If you’re looking for more of a treat to pair with this easy sweet tea recipe, then I recommend trying this Strawberry Fluff Salad, these Cherry Bars with Cake Mix, or even this Fruit Salad with Pudding recipe. 

Common Questions

What makes iced tea ‘sweet’?

Using ingredients such as sugar, honey, and maple syrup is what makes ice tea into a “sweet tea”. 

How long can sweet tea sit out without being refrigerated?

You can keep your sweet tea sitting out at room temperature for up to 8 hours. 

Why is sweet tea so sweet?

If you find your sweet tea has come out too sweet for your liking, feel free to cut down on the sugar added to the recipe until you find your sweet spot… no pun intended! 

Storage suggestions

If you’re able to get an airtight pitcher, that would be the best way to keep your sweet tea fresh if you’re keeping it overnight! 

Continue to Content

Yield: 12 Cups

Easy to Make Sweet Tea Recipe

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Ready for a quick and refreshing drink for those hot days? This sweet tea recipe will become your new favorite. It's best served cold with lots of ice and lemon, too.

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 C of water in a large pot
• 2 Luzianne Family size Tea Bags
• 1 C sugar
• 7 C of water in a pitcher
• Ice
• Lemons, if you prefer, but it isn't real Southern sweet tea if you add lemons!

Instructions

1. Bring the 3 C of water to a boil.
2. Add the tea bags.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove tea bags
5. While tea is still hot add the 1 C of sugar, stirring well.
6. Grab the pitcher with water pour in the hot tea and sugar mixture.
7. Stir well.
8. Add sliced lemons if you prefer.
9. Add ice
10. Keep chilled and serve cold

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 Cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 76Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 0g