Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Sweet Iced Tea
Few drinks feel as effortlessly Southern as a tall glass of sweet iced tea, and this version is about as pure and satisfying as it gets. The recipe keeps things beautifully simple — just brewed black tea, sugar, and water — so there's nothing hidden in the mix and no reason to second-guess the ingredient list. Steeping the bags for exactly five minutes and dissolving the sugar while the tea is still hot gives you that smooth, clean sweetness without any bitterness or cloudiness. Skipping the squeeze on the tea bags is a small but important step that keeps the flavor mellow and balanced. A squeeze of lemon or a few fresh mint sprigs at serving adds a bright, refreshing finish that makes it feel a little fancy without any extra effort. It's the kind of pitcher drink you'll want to keep in the fridge all week 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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