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A tall glass and a large pitcher filled with a dark, rich, and strong brew of traditional Southern iced sweet tea, garnished with a fresh lemon slice.

Real Southern Iced Sweet Tea

A traditional North Carolina family recipe for dark, strong, and sweet iced tea made with 14 tea bags, 2 cups of sugar, and fresh lemon.
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 quarts water for boiling
  • 14 single-size Lipton tea bags
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • Cold water or ice to fill the 1-gallon pitcher
  • Fresh lemon slices for serving

Method
 

  1. Boil Water: Bring 2 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large soup pot.
  2. Steep: Remove the pot from the heat and add 14 Lipton tea bags. Do not stir! Let steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. Remove Bags: Remove the tea bags and gently press out any remaining liquid into the pot.
  4. Mix Sugar: Place 2 cups of sugar into a 1-gallon pitcher. Pour the warm tea into the pitcher and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  5. Dilute & Chill: Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water or ice. Chill in the fridge, then serve over ice with lemon slices.

Notes

No Stirring: Never stir or agitate the tea bags while they steep to avoid releasing bitter tannins.