There’s nothing quite like a glass of sweet tea on a warm afternoon. This Southern Lemon Sweet Tea is the perfect balance of sweet, bright citrus, and smooth tea, refreshing and simple to make. It’s the kind of drink that feels like a hug in a glass, whether you’re hosting a barbecue or just taking a moment on the porch.
Prep5 minutesCook10 minutesTotal15 minutes
ServingsAdjust ingredients automatically
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 bags black tea, or 1 family-size bag
- 3/4 cup sugar, or to taste
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 lemon lemon, sliced for garnish
- ice, for serving
Directions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the 4 cups of water to a rolling boil.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and add the tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes, or a bit longer for a stronger tea.
- Remove the tea bags and stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Make sure the tea is still warm so the sugar melts smoothly.
- Stir in the lemon juice. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until chilled.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour the sweet tea over the ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice.
Asha’s Kitchen Tips
- For a stronger tea, let the bags steep up to 7 minutes, but no longer, to avoid bitterness.
- Start with 3/4 cup sugar and taste, add more if you like your tea extra sweet.
- Fresh lemon juice really brightens the flavor; bottled works in a pinch but is a bit less vibrant.
- If you like a minty twist, add a few fresh mint leaves to the pitcher while chilling.
- To make a big batch for a crowd, simply double all the ingredients and use a large pitcher.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over plenty of ice with a lemon slice on the rim. For a touch of extra sweetness, add a teaspoon of honey while the tea is still warm.