Corn Free Classic Sweet Iced Tea
Sweet, refreshing, and made entirely from scratch, this classic Southern-style iced tea is the kind of drink that disappears fast on a warm afternoon. The ingredient list is beautifully short — just water, black tea bags, and plain granulated sugar — which is exactly what makes it such a reliable choice when you're avoiding corn-derived sweeteners and additives. Many store-bought teas and flavored drink mixes sneak in corn syrup, dextrose, or other corn-based fillers, so brewing your own is genuinely the safest route. Dissolving the sugar directly into the hot concentrate ensures every sip is evenly sweet without any grainy texture. The method of steeping without squeezing the bags keeps the tea smooth and clean-tasting rather than bitter. A squeeze of lemon or a few sprigs of fresh mint at serving takes it from simple to something you'd proudly set out for guests. Once you have a pitcher chilling in the fridge, you'll wonder why you ever reached for a bottle.
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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)
Can be omittedlemon
- 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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