MSG Free Classic Sweet Iced Tea
Sweet, refreshing, and made entirely from scratch, this classic Southern-style iced tea is the kind of drink that belongs on every porch and picnic table. Store-bought teas and powdered mixes are notorious for sneaking in additives and flavor enhancers, so brewing your own is the only way to know exactly what's in your glass. The method here is beautifully simple — black tea bags, sugar, and water, nothing more. Dissolving the sugar directly into the hot concentrate means every sip is perfectly balanced, with no gritty sweetness at the bottom of the pitcher. A squeeze of lemon or a few sprigs of fresh mint take it from everyday to genuinely special. It's the kind of recipe you'll make on repeat all summer long.
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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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