• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Me
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
Flour On My Face
  • Home
  • Crock Pot Recipes
  • Easy Freezer Meals
  • Canning Recipes
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Instant Pot Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Canning
  • Crock Pot Recipes
  • Easy Freezer Meals
  • Food Dehydrator Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
×
Home » Summer » How to make Sweet Iced Tea

How to make Sweet Iced Tea

Published: Apr 9, 2012 · Modified: Oct 30, 2024 by Arlene Mobley · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

I'm not too snobby about many things but when it comes to a glass of homemade sweet iced tea I've set my standards high and I have learned over the years how to make sweet iced tea perfectly.

What is a perfect pitcher of sweet iced tea

  • It’s got to be freshly brewed.
  • It’s got to be crystal clear. No cloudy iced tea for me!
  • It’s got to be sweet but not too sweet.
sweet iced tea, southern ice tea, how to make, tea, summer drinks
How to make perfect Sweet Iced Tea

Why is my iced tea cloudy?

I've learned over the years that if a glass of iced tea is cloudy it is not fresh. There are a couple of ways this can happen.

  • You brewed the tea and let it sit too long before making your pitcher of iced tea.
  • It’s been in the refrigerator a few days.
  • You brewed it, made it and then let it sit out and get warm. Keep your tea chilled!

There once was a time when sweet iced tea was only a southern thing. Now you can get it almost anywhere food is served.

I've been making sweet iced tea for a long time. At one time I made one gallon of sweet iced tea a day, every day before my husband came home from work.

There once was a time when sweet iced tea was only a southern thing. Now you can get it almost anywhere food is served.

I've been making sweet iced tea for a long time. At one time I made one gallon of sweet iced tea a day, every day before my husband came home from work.

How hard can making sweet iced tea be? You only have three ingredients; water, tea and sugar.

Making Sweet Iced Tea may seem pretty simple but the technique is what makes a crystal clear glass of sweet iced tea. Follow my instructions and I promise you a perfect pitcher of sweet iced tea each time.

This sweet tea recipe makes a half a gallon of iced tea. You can double it and make an entire gallon. You probably should just go ahead and make a gallon. Nothing tastes better than a fresh glass of sweet iced tea on a hot summer afternoon.

Tips for making perfect iced tea

  • Preparing your iced tea while the brewed tea is still hot is what gives you a crystal clear pitcher of iced tea. If you wait until the tea has cooled you will end up with a bitter and cloudy pitcher of tea.
  • It also allows the sugar granules to dissolve. I hate it when the sugar doesn't dissolve and sits on the bottom of my glass.
  • Chill completely before serving over ice so the warm tea does not melt the ice in the glass.
  • Do not add ice to the pitcher of sweet iced tea. It will water it down and lose much of the flavor
  • Garnish with a wedge of lemon, lime or a slice of orange.
  • Garnish with fresh mint or lemon verbena.

Ingredients

There are only three ingredients needed to make a pitcher of sweet iced tea.

  • black tea bags
  • water
  • granulated white sugar
how to make, sweet ice tea, summer, beverages, ice tea directions
Sweet iced tea

Directions

  1. Brew the tea
  2. Add the sugar to dissolve
  3. Dilute with more water

See the recipe card below for more detailed step by step directions!

sweet iced tea

Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

How to make the best Sweet Iced Tea via flouronmyface.com

How to make Sweet Iced Tea

Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face
How to make Southern sweet iced tea perfectly. Serve a glass of the best, brightest, clear, not cloudy iced tea you have ever tasted. Garnish with a wedge of lemon or lime and a sprig or two of fresh mint.
5 from 1 vote
Rate this Recipe
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Click here to add your own private recipe notes.
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 8 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 97 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 8 cups water divided
  • 6 tea bags Lipton Black Pekoe Tea
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 whole lemon (lime and mint for garnish)
  • ice
Follow Flour On My Face on Pinterest

Instructions 

  • Add 4 cups of water to a medium size saucepan and bring to a roiling boil. Boil the tea bags for about 2-3 minutes. Remove the pot from the hot burner.
  • Steep tea for 10 minutes.
  • Measure sugar and add to pitcher
  • Pour the still hot tea over the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Add the remaining four cups of water and pour it into the pot with the tea bags. Swirl the pot around a little bit to allow the tea bags to release that last bit of tea goodness from the tea bags. Pour the tea water into the pitcher.
  • Chill completely before serving and serve over ice.

Recipe Expert Tips

  • Chill a big pitcher of this sweet iced tea recipe before serving with a wedge of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.

Nutrition

Serving: 1GlassCalories: 97kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag @flouronmyface2
 

More Summer

  • Peach Canning recipes 4 image collage preview.
    Peach Canning Recipes
  • Sliced and whole fresh peaches in a metal colander.
    Fresh Peach Recipes
  • Dehydrated pickle chips in a large mason jar.
    How to Dehydrate Pickle Chips
  • Million Dollar Banana Pudding served on a dessert plate with a banana in background.
    Million Dollar Banana Pudding
  • Share
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Flipboard
  • Bluesky

About Arlene Mobley

Arlene Mobley author of Flour On My Face-a Food & Lifestyle website helping busy families get dinner on the table by serving easy recipes every week.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cara ~ Vintage Style Gal

    July 23, 2023 at 2:24 pm

    I know sweet tea is a more southern drink, but northerners like it too! We enjoy making at home all through the summer. Thank you for sharing with Whimsy Home Wednesday.

    Reply
  2. Hester Adamson

    August 15, 2015 at 2:02 am

    5 stars
    I have drank sweet tea for as long as I can remember and I am 59 years old. I make my tea 2 gallons at a time. I pour the hot tea over the sugar and stir it until it is dissovled. Then I keep refilling the pot with water running over the tea bags and pouring it into the container. It gets all the tea flavor. Then put it into the frig to chill. If you don't drink all the tea in about 4 days it starts turning sour. Between my husband and myself we will drink all of it before then. We drink sweet ice tea all year long.

    Reply
  3. Donna

    April 20, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Being a Georgia transplant, I have had to instruct quite a few people on the fine art of making "sweettea". It is imperative that you add the sugar in the last minute or two of cooking, you don't want the sugar just to melt, you want that chemical reaction with the sugar/heat/tea that makes a truly distinctive taste. You will see this chemical reaction happen, don't have the pot too full.

    Reply
  4. Lorraine Mazza

    January 07, 2015 at 11:13 am

    just double checking...only 4 cups of boiling water is added to the tea bags, the remainder of water (4 cups) is at room temperature and added to the already steeped tea bags.

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      January 07, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      Lorraine

      That is correct. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Mickey

    June 23, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    I'll make two batches and use my ice cube tray to fill with tea then use it for cubes in the drink. Thanks

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      June 23, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Mickey

      That is a great way to keep the ice from diluting your iced tea. If you like lemon in your tea you could even add a half slice to each ice cube cavity. The you won't need to use a lemon slice! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  6. Me Anders

    May 31, 2014 at 5:20 pm

    I love it! I feel your passion!! I grew up on this stuff.... delicious. And lately, Ive been craving tea, tea, tea...... sweet tea that is!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Arlene Mobley the cook & photographer here at Flour On My Face. I have been cooking for my family for over 40 years. I love sharing recipes to help busy families get dinner on the table.

More about me →

social
social
social
social

We Have Been Featured In

Alfredo Sauce Recipes

  • A bowl of alfredo gnocchi soup served with buttered bread.
    Chicken Alfredo Gnocchi Soup

  • Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce served over fettuccine with garlic sticks.
    Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

  • A bowl filled with creamy chicken tortellini alfredo on a table.
    Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

  • A creamy roasted garlic alfredo served over pasta on a green dinner plate.
    Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce

See more Alfredo Sauce Recipes →

Cheesecake Recipes

  • cheesecake graham cracker crust pressed into a baking pan.
    Cheesecake Graham Cracker Crust Recipe

  • A single slice of apple cheesecake garnished with whip cream, caramel sauce and chopped pecans on a dessert plate.
    Apple Cheesecake

  • A slice of choclate cheesecake filling on a white dessert plate.
    Chocolate Cheesecake Filling

  • Sliced White Chocolate Cheesecake filling baked with a ladyfinger crust and garnished with whip cream, chocolate curls and berries.
    White Chocolate Cheesecake Filling

See more Cheesecakes →

Breakfast Recipes

  • Serving apple fritter casserole from a baking dish with spoon.
    Apple Fritter Casserole

  • Preview collage of 4 breakfast casseroles.
    Best Breakfast Casseroles

  • A square serving piece of biscuits and gravy casserole with gravy drizzled over the top on a plate.
    Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

  • Kielbasa Breakfast Casserole in a bowl served with toast and juice.
    Kielbasa Breakfast Casserole

See more Breakfast Recipes →

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Flour On My Face is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright ©2025 Flour On My Face

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.