Southern Sweet Tea (Sugar Free Keto Sweet Tea) is an easy to make classic iced tea recipe that's ever-so-popular in the South. This sweet tea version is sugar-free so not only is it tasty and refreshing - it's guilt-free too! Don't want sugar-free? Use regular sugar instead!
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- WATCH: How to Make Sweet Tea
- You'll love this Southern Style Sweet Tea
- Southern Sweet Tea Recipe ingredients
- How to Make Southern Sweet Tea
- Top tips to make the Best Sweet Tea Recipe
- How to serve Southern Sweet Tea
- How to store Homemade Sweet Tea
- Southern Sweet Tea FAQs
- ✔️ More Drink Recipes
- More Recipes You Will Love
- 💬 Comments
WATCH: How to Make Sweet Tea
You'll love this Southern Style Sweet Tea
I have a funny sign in my kitchen that says: "Here in the South...we don't hide crazy, we parade it on the front porch and give it sweet tea." 😉
Lately, it feels like we're all a bit crazy, right? Maybe we should ALL grab a glass of sweet tea and parade ourselves around on the front porch? Let's give the neighbors something to talk about, right? LOL!
Classic Southern Recipe
Is there any other drink that is more classically Southern than sweet tea? In the South, sweet tea is more than just a drink - it's practically a way of life. 🙂 Think rocking chairs and front porches - peacefully sipping away at an ice-cold glass of refreshing tea on a hot day.
Guilt-Free Sugar-Free Iced Tea
For sweet tea lovers looking for a homemade healthier version that's sugar free - here you go! Tasty and guilt-free. Gotta love that. This recipe has no calories, no fat, no protein, and no net carbs.
Keto Sweet Tea
This is a keto-friendly sweet tea. I used a granulated monk fruit sweetener but you can use your favorite sugar substitute as long as it is a 1:1 sugar ratio.
The nutritional analysis of this recipe, including the optional baking soda is as below. Yes - for real...it's all zeros!
Southern Sweet Tea Recipe ingredients
- Boiling Water
- Family Size Tea Bags - black tea is traditionally used but you could also use green tea.
- Sugar Substitute - with a 1:1 sugar ratio (or regular sugar)
- Optional - baking soda
- Ice
- Garnish - lemon wedges and mint leaves
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
How to Make Southern Sweet Tea
Heat Water
In a saucepan, heat water to boiling.
Add Tea Bags
Add tea bags and steep for 8 minutes. Remove tea bags.
Add Sweetener
Add sweetener and whisk to dissolve while the tea is still hot.
Optional: add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to remove the bitter taste of the tea.
Cool and Serve
Allow the tea to cool then transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate.
Serve over ice along with lemon wedges and sprigs of mint if desired.
Top tips to make the Best Sweet Tea Recipe
- Use any favorite sweetener with a 1:1 sugar ratio. If you are not following a sugar-free diet then by all means use regular sugar if you'd like.
- You can use 4 regular sized tea bags for every one family sized bag.
- If you don't like the "bite" of tea you can add 1/2 tsp of baking soda while the water is warm. This will make the tea more smooth tasting.
- Everyone has a different sweet preference. Some like it very sweet others not so much. Adjust your sugar to your liking. If you aren't sure start with 1/2 cup sugar up to 1 cup.
- This recipe calls for 2 to 3 family-sized tea bags for every 8 cups of water. If you prefer your tea on the stronger size use 3 tea bags. For a more medium flavor use 2.
- If you were to try the tea straight with no ice it will seem strong and very sweet. Remember that once you add it over ice the ice will begin melting and dilute the taste.
How to serve Southern Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is best served over a full glass of ice, a lemon wedge, and even a sprig of mint. The mint adds a refreshing taste to the tea - perfect for a hot day!
How to store Homemade Sweet Tea
Store your homemade sweet tea in a covered pitcher or jar up to 1 week in the fridge.
How long is Homemade Sweet Tea good for?
Homemade sweet tea is good for 3 to 4 days, but for the freshest taste, it is best to drink it the first day! Enjoy!
Southern Sweet Tea FAQs
4 regular tea bags equals 1 family-sized tea bag.
By adding baking soda to sweet tea it will neutralize the tannins in the tea giving it a much smoother taste. It's completely optional of course!
The quickest way is to boil water; however, you can make a cold-brewed ice tea by placing tea bags in cold water in a pitcher. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for 12 hours.
Unsweet tea has no calories. If you follow this recipe, the tea will have 1 calorie, depending upon the sweetener you use.
Yes, sweet tea contains black tea which has caffeine. Black tea contains about 47 mg of caffeine per tea bag. This sweet tea recipes contains approximately 47 mg per serving.
✔️ More Drink Recipes
From cocktails to coffee, here are some more no sugar added or sugar free drink recipes I think you'll enjoy.
- Cold Brew Coffee Recipe
- Strawberry Martini
- Peach Martini
- Lemon Mojito
- Irish Mule Cocktail Recipe
- Chocolate Cream Cold Brew Recipe
- Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
More Recipes You Will Love
Homemade Sweet Tea (Sugar Free)
An easy to make classic sweet tea recipe that's ever-so-popular in the South. This sweet tea version is sugar-free so not only is it tasty and refreshing - it's guilt-free too! Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 8 cups boiling water
- 2 - 3 family-sized tea bags
- 1/2 to 1 cup sugar substitute with a 1:1 sugar ratio (or regular sugar)
- Optional: 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Ice
- Garnish: lemon wedges and mint leaves
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat water to boiling. Add tea bags and steep for 8 minutes. Remove tea bags, and whlie water is sitll hot, add sugar and whisk to dissolve. This is optional, but you can add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to remove the bitter taste of the tea.
- Allow tea to cool the transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate.
- Serve over ice along with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Use any favorite sweetener with a 1:1 sugar ratio. If you are not following a sugar-free diet then by all means use regular sugar if you'd like.
- You can use 4 regular sized tea bags for every 1 family-sized bag.
- If you don't like the "tangy bite" of tea, add 1/2 tsp of baking soda while the water is warm. This will neutralize the tannins in the tea.
- Everyone has a different sweet preference. Some like it very sweet others not so much. Adjust your sugar to your liking. If you aren't sure start with 1/2 cup sugar up to 1 cup.
- This recipe calls for 2 to 3 family-sized tea bags for every 8 cups of water. If you prefer your tea on the stronger size use 3 tea bags. For a more medium flavor use 2.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
8 oz glassAmount Per Serving: Calories: 1Total Fat: 0gSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 24gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Try this classic Southern Sweet Tea recipe that is sugar-free. It's tasty, refreshing - AND has 0 calories, 0 net carbs, and 0 sugar. This is a low carb and keto sweet tea but can be enjoyed by all. Homemade Southern-style sweet tea is an easy drink recipe that is perfect year-round! #sweettea #southernsweettea #sweettearecipe #sweetteasouthern #sugarfree #lowcarb #keto #homemadesweettea
Rita says
Nothing better than a good ‘ole glass of iced sweet tea. Thank you for the sugar free recipe!! 🙂
seekinggoodeats says
I know, right? 🙂 Hope you enjoy!
Donna says
Hi,
Just FYI baking soda helps the tea stay fresh longer as well. I used to own a restaurant and this was a staple.
Sharing is caring,
Donna
seekinggoodeats says
Great tip! Thank you so much! 🙂
Frieda says
can you substitute green tea for black tea?
seekinggoodeats says
Yes you can! It will have a different taste of course, but adjust the sweetness to your tastes and it should be fine! 🙂