
There is something deeply satisfying about a tall glass of sweet iced tea on a warm afternoon, and this classic Southern version delivers exactly that. Many store-bought bottled teas and flavored drink mixes contain preservatives and additives that can be a concern for anyone keeping a close eye on what goes into their body โ brewing your own is the cleanest, most straightforward solution. This recipe keeps things beautifully simple: just water, black tea, and granulated sugar, so you know exactly what you're drinking with zero guesswork. The trick of dissolving the sugar into the hot concentrate before adding cold water means every sip is perfectly, evenly sweet from top to bottom. Skipping the squeeze on the tea bags is a small but smart move that keeps the flavor smooth and mellow rather than bitter. Serve it over a mountain of ice with a lemon slice or a sprig of fresh mint for a refreshing finish that feels a little fancy without any extra effort. Once you make a pitcher of this at home, it's genuinely hard to go back to anything from a bottle.
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Learn more โ8 servings






Bring 4 cups of water to a full boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags without squeezing them โ squeezing releases bitter tannins.
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