MSG Free Southern Sweet Iced Tea
Sweet, refreshing, and made from just three pantry staples, this classic Southern iced tea is the kind of drink that instantly transports you to a front porch on a warm afternoon. Store-bought bottled teas and powdered mixes are notorious for sneaking in additives and flavor enhancers, so brewing your own is the cleanest way to know exactly what's in your glass. The method here is straightforward — steep, sweeten while hot so the sugar dissolves completely, then dilute and chill. One important trick: resist the urge to squeeze the tea bags when you pull them out, since that releases bitter tannins and throws off the smooth, mellow flavor you're going for. A tall glass over ice with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh mint makes it feel genuinely special without any extra effort. It's the kind of recipe you'll make on repeat all summer long.
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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.
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