Artificial Flavors Free Classic Sweet Iced Tea
There is something deeply satisfying about a tall glass of sweet iced tea on a warm afternoon, and this version delivers that classic Southern comfort without any of the mystery ingredients hiding in bottled or powdered drink mixes. Many store-bought teas and flavored concentrates sneak in artificial flavoring agents to mimic that "fresh-brewed" taste, but this recipe skips all of that entirely. The only flavor here comes from real steeped black tea and plain granulated sugar — nothing more, nothing less. Steeping the bags in hot water and dissolving the sugar while everything is still warm creates a smooth, naturally sweet concentrate that dilutes beautifully with cold water. Optional lemon slices and fresh mint at serving add a bright, garden-fresh finish that no synthetic flavoring could ever replicate. It is the kind of drink that tastes like it took all day to make, even though the process is genuinely simple and completely transparent from start to finish.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 8 cups water, divided
- 6 black tea bags (such as lipton or luzianne)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags without squeezing them.
- 2
While the tea is still hot, add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved, about 1 minute.
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