Paraben Free Classic Sweet Iced Tea
There is something deeply satisfying about a tall glass of sweet iced tea on a warm afternoon, and this from-scratch version delivers that classic Southern comfort in the most straightforward way possible. Parabens are synthetic preservatives found in a surprising number of bottled and canned beverages, so brewing your own tea at home is one of the easiest ways to sidestep them entirely. This recipe keeps things beautifully simple — just water, black tea bags, and granulated sugar — so you know exactly what's going into your glass. The hot steep method dissolves the sugar perfectly into the concentrate before the cold water is added, giving you a smooth, evenly sweetened tea every single time. A squeeze of lemon or a few sprigs of fresh mint at serving adds a bright, refreshing finish without complicating the ingredient list. It's the kind of drink that feels effortless to make and even better to sip.
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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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