HHeritage Kitchen

Drinks

Southern Sweet Tea

Strong black tea sweetened while it's hot, chilled by the pitcher and served over plenty of ice.

Jump to Recipe
Pitcher of Southern sweet tea beside a glass filled with ice and a lemon slice

Prep time

10 min

Cook time

5 min

Chill time

2 hr

Total time

2 hr 15 min

Servings

16 · 1 gallon

Origin Story

In much of the South, sweet tea isn't simply iced tea with sugar added at the table. The sugar goes into the tea while it's still hot, creating a sweet pitcher meant to be chilled and poured over ice. Sweet tea became an everyday companion to Southern meals and a familiar offering at family tables, Sunday dinners, cookouts and gatherings. In many Black Southern homes, a cold pitcher in the refrigerator is simply part of the rhythm of hospitality.

Ingredients

  • 8 regular-size black tea bags
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, or 1 to 1 1/2 cups to taste
  • About 12 cups cold water
  • Ice
  • Lemon slices, optional

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring 4 cups of water just to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 5–7 minutes.

  2. 2

    Remove the tea bags without squeezing them excessively.

  3. 3

    While the tea is still hot, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved.

  4. 4

    Pour the sweetened tea into a gallon pitcher.

  5. 5

    Add enough cold water to make 1 gallon and stir well.

  6. 6

    Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

  7. 7

    Serve over plenty of ice, with lemon if desired.

Heritage Kitchen Tips

  • Steeping past about 7 minutes pulls out bitterness — set a timer.
  • Start at 1 cup of sugar if your table likes it lighter; you can always stir in more while the tea is warm.

Kitchen Note

Sweeten the tea while it's hot. The sugar dissolves completely and gives the finished pitcher the smooth sweetness that makes sweet tea different from iced tea with sugar stirred into the glass.

Variations

  • Add a few fresh mint sprigs or sliced peaches to the pitcher while it chills.

Storage and reheating

Keep refrigerated and drink within 3 days.

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