
Sweet, refreshing, and deeply satisfying, this classic Southern-style iced tea is the kind of drink that makes a hot afternoon feel instantly more manageable. Black tea bags steep in boiling water before the sugar dissolves right into the hot concentrate, which means every sip is perfectly balanced — no grainy sweetness, no bitterness. The whole thing comes together in one saucepan and a pitcher, making cleanup almost nonexistent. Lemon slices and fresh mint are optional finishing touches, but they add a bright, garden-party feel that's hard to resist. This is naturally free from any animal-derived ingredients, so it fits a wide range of dietary needs without any substitutions or label-checking required. Make a big batch, stash it in the fridge, and you'll have the most crowd-pleasing drink ready to pour all week long.
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Learn more →8 servings






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.
While the tea is still hot, add the sugar and stir until completely dissolved, about 1 minute.
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