Spice Free Classic Sweet Iced Tea
Few drinks hit quite like a tall glass of sweet iced tea on a warm afternoon, and this one is as pure and refreshing as it gets. With just water, black tea bags, and sugar, there's nothing here to second-guess — no hidden seasonings, no flavored syrups, no spice blends that can sneak in unexpected heat or aromatic compounds. That simplicity is exactly what makes it such a reliable go-to for anyone keeping their diet clean and straightforward. The method is brilliantly easy: steep, sweeten while hot so the sugar dissolves completely, then dilute with cold water and chill. Squeezing the tea bags is skipped on purpose — that little detail keeps the flavor smooth and mellow rather than bitter. A few lemon slices or a sprig of fresh mint at serving add a bright, cooling finish without complicating the ingredient list at all. It's the kind of drink you'll want to keep a pitcher of in the fridge all week.
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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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