Pecan 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 staple is made with just three pantry staples — water, black tea bags, and sugar — so there's nothing complicated standing between you and a perfectly chilled pitcher. The trick to getting it right is steeping the tea bags without squeezing them, which keeps any bitterness at bay and lets that smooth, mellow flavor shine through. Dissolving the sugar while the tea is still hot ensures every sip is evenly sweet from top to bottom, no grainy residue in sight. A squeeze of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint takes it from simple to downright refreshing. For anyone navigating tree nut concerns, this recipe is naturally worry-free — just pure, straightforward ingredients with zero hidden surprises. It's the kind of drink you'll want to keep a pitcher of 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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