By Becky Hardin
Published Jun 4, 2024
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a huge pitcher of homemade sweet tea! I always find the store bought iced teas, well, too sweet–plus they’re packed full of ingredients that really don’t need to be in it. So instead I’m showing you how to make sweet tea that tastes as good as this classic Southern drink should, but with less than 100 calories per serving. The best part is that this sweetened black tea will be cold and ready to drink in less than 20 minutes!
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If, like me, you’re from the Midwest or the South, then you know how integral fresh, homemade sweet tea is to a good meal, potluck , or family gathering. Before this recipe (originally my Mom’s), I always ran into 2 problems: dissolving sugar into iced tea can be tedious, and everyone wanted different levels of sweetness. But making sweet tea with a simple syrup is the perfect solution to both problems! Now everyone can sweeten their tea by the glass, and there’ll be no surprise mounds of sugar granules left at the bottom of the cup.
Ingredients for Sweet Iced Tea
- Sugar: Use granulated cane sugar for the simple syrup. You can also use super-fine sugar, coconut sugar, or brown sugar.
- Water: You’ll need 1 cup of water to make the simple syrup, and another 7-8 cups to make a ½ gallon (2 quarts) of iced tea.
- Tea Bags: I use cold brew tea bags so that I don’t have to chill the tea before serving–it’s ready as soon as the tea is done brewing! Use 2-3 family-sized tea bags for a ½ gallon of sweet tea.
Tips for Success
- Simply double the recipe to make a gallon of iced tea (use 4-5 family-sized tea bags).
- I usually make the simple syrup ahead of time so that it’s ready to use with freshly-brewed tea.
- I let the tea brew between 5-15 minutes, depending on how patient I feel. The longer you let tea brew, the deeper and more flavorful it will become–though past 25 minutes it can start to taste bitter.
- I like to garnish my iced tea with fresh mint and citrus slices, but that’s optional!
- Black tea is the classic option for Southern-style sweet tea, but you can make this recipe with other types as well. I recommend trying it with green tea!
How to Store
Store the simple syrup in a heat-resistant, airtight jar or container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, which means you can make it ahead of time.
Store sweet iced tea in a pitcher (or another container) in the refrigerator. I recommend drinking it within 48 hours of brewing for the best taste–it will start to taste bitter after a couple of days.
A Note on Tea Bag Sizes
A family-size tea bag makes 1 quart of tea, so I use 2-3 in this homemade sweet tea recipe to make 2 quarts (equivalent to a ½ gallon)–that extra bag just makes the tea stronger. 1 family-size bag is equal to 4 regular-sized bags (these are formulated to make one 8 ounce cup each). So if you’re using regular-sized tea bags for this recipe, you’ll need 8 bags to make the 2 quarts of sweet iced tea as directed.
5-Star Review
“I needed this! My sweet tea always comes out way too sweet or not sweet enough.” – April
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Simple Syrup:
- ▢ 1 cup water
- ▢ 1 cup sugar granulated, super-fine, organic, coconut or brown
For the Iced Tea:
- ▢ 7-8 cups water
- ▢ 2-3 family-size cold brew tea bags
Video
Instructions
For the Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan set over medium heat, bring water to a boil. Add sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and pour the simple syrup into a heat-resistant, airtight jar to cool completely (and store). 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar
For the Iced Tea:
- In a ½ gallon pitcher, pour 8 cups of water over 2 family-size cold brew tea bags. Allow the tea to infuse the water for at least 5 minutes, and up to 15 minutes. Discard the tea bags. 7-8 cups water, 2-3 family-size cold brew tea bags
For Serving Sweet Tea:
- Pour sweet tea into glasses and allow each person to sweeten their own tea with the simple syrup. Stir and add ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices, orange slices, raspberries and/or mint leaves if desired.
Becky’s Tips
- To make a gallon of iced tea, double the recipe using the same ratios (use 4-5 family-sized tea bags).
- I let the tea brew between 5-15 minutes, depending on how patient I feel. The longer you let tea brew, the deeper and more flavorful it will become–though past 25 minutes it can start to taste bitter.
- I like to garnish my iced tea with fresh mint and citrus slices, but that’s optional!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Sweet Tea Step by Step
Boil Water: In a small saucepan set over medium heat, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
Stir in Sugar: Add 1 cup of sugar to the boiling water, and stir until the sugar has fully dissolved. Then remove from the heat and pour the simple syrup into a heat-resistant, airtight jar to cool completely (and store).
Pour Water: In a ½ gallon pitcher, pour 7-8 cups of cold water over 2-3 family-sized cold brew tea bags.
Brew Tea: Allow the tea to brew for at least 5 minutes, or up to 15 minutes. Then discard the tea bags.
Pour Iced Tea: Add ice, slices of lemon or orange, or fresh mint leaves to glasses–this garnishing can also be done after pouring. Then pour iced tea into glasses.
Sweeten Tea: To sweeten a glass of iced tea, stir in the simple syrup. Add as much or as little as you like to get your desired level of sweetness.
More Easy Drink Recipes To Try
- How to Make Homemade Lemonade
- How to Make Homemade Limeade
- Raspberry Sweet Tea
- Lavender Lemonade
- Skinny Pineapple Iced Tea
- How to Make Cold Brew Iced Coffee
Homemade Sweet Tea Recipe
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar granulated, super-fine, organic, coconut or brown
For the Iced Tea:
- 7-8 cups water
- 2-3 family-size cold brew tea bags
Instructions
For the Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan set over medium heat, bring water to a boil. Add sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and pour the simple syrup into a heat-resistant, airtight jar to cool completely (and store). 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar
For the Iced Tea:
- In a ½ gallon pitcher, pour 8 cups of water over 2 family-size cold brew tea bags. Allow the tea to infuse the water for at least 5 minutes, and up to 15 minutes. Discard the tea bags. 7-8 cups water, 2-3 family-size cold brew tea bags
For Serving Sweet Tea:
- Pour sweet tea into glasses and allow each person to sweeten their own tea with the simple syrup. Stir and add ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices, orange slices, raspberries and/or mint leaves if desired.
Video
Notes
- To make a gallon of iced tea, double the recipe using the same ratios (use 4-5 family-sized tea bags).
- I let the tea brew between 5-15 minutes, depending on how patient I feel. The longer you let tea brew, the deeper and more flavorful it will become–though past 25 minutes it can start to taste bitter.
- I like to garnish my iced tea with fresh mint and citrus slices, but that’s optional!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
