
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, giving you that perfectly smooth sweetness without any graininess. The whole thing comes together in one saucepan and a pitcher — no fancy equipment, no complicated steps. For anyone managing a red meat allergy, beverages and even seemingly simple recipes can sometimes hide surprising animal-derived additives, but this one is completely straightforward: water, tea, and sugar, full stop. A squeeze of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint takes it from everyday to genuinely elegant. Make a big batch, keep it cold in the fridge, and you'll have a 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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