Black Pepper Free Southern Sweet Iced Tea

Sweet, refreshing, and deeply satisfying, this classic Southern iced tea is the kind of drink that makes a hot afternoon feel instantly more manageable. The method is straightforward — steep, sweeten while hot, dilute, and chill — but the little details, like not squeezing the tea bags, make a real difference in keeping the flavor smooth and clean rather than bitter. A full cup of sugar dissolved into the warm concentrate gives you that signature Southern sweetness that coats every sip without feeling grainy or underdone. For anyone avoiding black pepper, this recipe is a natural fit since traditional sweet tea has never needed it — no workarounds or substitutions required. Fresh lemon slices and mint are optional but genuinely elevate the whole glass, adding brightness and a little herbal lift. Make a big pitcher and keep it cold in the fridge, because it disappears faster than you'd expect.

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