Macadamia Free Southern Sweet Iced Tea
Few drinks capture the spirit of a long, lazy afternoon quite like a tall glass of sweet iced tea. This classic Southern version is built on just three pantry staples — water, black tea bags, and sugar — so there's nothing complicated standing between you and a perfectly chilled pitcher. The method matters here: steeping the bags without squeezing them keeps the brew smooth and mellow rather than bitter, and dissolving the sugar while the tea is still hot means every sip is evenly sweet from top to bottom. Once it's cooled and poured over a glass packed with ice, a squeeze of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint turn something simple into something genuinely refreshing. It's the kind of recipe that scales up easily for a backyard gathering or just sits quietly in the fridge for whenever the mood strikes.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 8 cup water
- 6 black tea bags (family-size or regular)
- 1 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 water to a full boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags without squeezing them — squeezing releases bitter tannins.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!