Nutmeg 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, and sugar — so every sip is clean, refreshing, and completely free of any hidden spices or additives that can sneak into store-bought blends. The method matters here: steeping the bags without squeezing them keeps the flavor smooth and mellow rather than bitter, and dissolving the sugar into the hot concentrate means every glass is evenly sweet from top to bottom. A squeeze of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint at serving adds a bright, aromatic lift without complicating the ingredient list. It's the kind of recipe that feels effortless but tastes like you really know what you're doing — perfect for backyard gatherings, weeknight dinners, or just keeping a cold pitcher in the fridge all week 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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