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Southern Summer Sweet Tea

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A classic Southern sweet tea recipe that is easy, refreshing, and perfect for porch sitting. It balances sweetness with a hint of lemon and the robust flavor of black tea.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 black tea bags (recommend Luzianne or Lipton)
  • 8 cups (64 fl oz) fresh filtered water
  • 1 to 1 ½ cups (200–300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2–3 fresh lemon slices (optional)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Bring 8 cups (64 fl oz) of fresh filtered water to a rolling boil in a kettle or large pot (about 5-7 minutes).
  2. Place 6-8 black tea bags into a large heatproof pitcher.
  3. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags immediately.
  4. Let the tea bags steep for 5 to 7 minutes until the tea is a rich amber color.
  5. Carefully remove the tea bags, pressing gently against the pitcher side to extract flavor without squeezing.
  6. Stir in 1 to 1 ½ cups granulated sugar while the tea is still hot until fully dissolved.
  7. Add 2-3 fresh lemon slices if desired.
  8. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or add ice cubes to chill faster.
  9. Serve the chilled sweet tea over ice, garnished with lemon slices or fresh mint if desired.

Notes

Add sugar while the tea is still hot to ensure it dissolves fully and avoid graininess. Steep tea bags for 5-7 minutes to avoid bitterness. Chill thoroughly before serving. Adjust sweetness after chilling if needed. Use fresh lemons and clean equipment for best flavor. Glass pitchers are preferred to avoid warping from hot tea.

Nutrition

Keywords: sweet tea, southern sweet tea, iced tea, summer drink, refreshing beverage, porch sitting, black tea, lemon tea

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/southern-summer-sweet-tea-recipe-easy-cozy-refreshing-drink-for-porch-sitting/