Southern sweet tea is a staple of the South. It’s sweet, refreshing, and makes an enticing entry onto your palate with a hint of citrus. You’ll want to learn how to make southern sweet tea because, well, at the risk of exaggeration, it really does feel like drinking liquid sunshine.
Southern sweet tea has been around for generations, served in restaurants, diners, and bars throughout the South. But the origin of this sweet tea is a bit cloudy. Some say it was invented in the American South in the early 1900s, while others claim it's been around since the colonial era. However, its popularity has spread across the United States and even internationally.
There are many variations of southern sweet tea. Some people like theirs with lemon, and others add mint leaves or cucumber slices. Its texture should be close enough to syrup so that it doesn't drip down your glass when you pour it in.
However, it shouldn't be so thick that it doesn't flow smoothly over ice cubes or through an open straw. Southern sweet tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on the weather and region.
Benefits of Southern Sweet Tea
- It's delicious!
- It's refreshing and caffeinated, making a great afternoon pick-me-up and an evening treat to share with friends.
- The antioxidants from the tea leaves also provide health benefits.
- Vitamin C from citrus fruits helps in boosting immunity.
- Drinking sweet tea can improve your mood. The sugar in the tea gives you an energy boost which can make this happen.
Brewing Instructions
There are multiple ways to make southern sweet tea. The instructions below should help you find your favorite method.
Recipe 1: Hot Southern Sweet Tea
- Boil the water.
- Add the tea leaves.
- ● Add one teaspoon of sugar for every cup of tea. Add more or less sweetener or sugar to your preferred taste.
- Steep the tea for approximately three to five minutes.
- Remove the tea leaves
- Enjoy!
Recipe 2: Iced Southern Sweet Tea
- Add one cup of sugar and four bags of black tea leaves.
- Add two quarts of cold water and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Let it sit still for five minutes so that the flavors can blend.
- Cut two lemons into wedges and add them to the glass container or pitcher where you plan on storing this delicious drink.
- Chill until ready to serve!
Tasting Notes
Southern sweet tea is a beverage served hot or cold, made with a blend of sugar, water, and tea. The flavor profile is complex. It ranges from fruity to floral to spicy.
The taste is rich and full-bodied and not for the faint of heart. It has a strong flavor that may overwhelm some palates.
The best way to drink southern sweet tea is with a slice of lemon and a few ice cubes. You can also add mint leaves to your glass if you want to give it an extra kick.
Serving instructions
After you've prepared your southern iced tea, it's time to serve it up! Here's how to do it:
1. Pour the tea into glasses filled with ice.
2. Serve immediately and enjoy!
3. If you like, you can garnish each glass with a lemon wedge or
mint leaves.
Once you've brewed your hot southern sweet tea, here's how to serve it:
1. Pour the tea into glasses or mugs.
2. Add sugar, if desired.
3. Serve immediately.
Final Thoughts on How to Make Southern Sweet Tea
Follow these recipes if you want to learn how to make southern sweet tea at home. Of course, you can be inventive as you want and try out other recipes. But whatever you do, make sure you invite people over and show off your new skills. Once they try it, they’ll never stop!
You are welcome.
You are now something of a pro on how to make southern sweet tea. Here are some selected tea recipes worth trying out at home:
