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Home » Recipes » Drinks and Cocktail Recipes

How to Make Southern Sweet Tea (Sugar Free & Keto)

Modified: Feb 23, 2021 by Kori Butler · Published: Feb 15, 2024

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This Southern Sweet Tea Recipe is an easy-to-make classic iced tea recipe that's ever-so-popular in the South. You can make this sweet tea with a sugar substitute or regular sugar, so it's not only tasty and refreshing - it's guilt-free too! Ready to make it?

Southern Sweet tea recipe served in two tall clear glasses with a slice of lemon and sprig of mint.Pin

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? Let's all grab a glass of sweet tea and parade ourselves around on the front porch. That'll give the neighbors something to talk about, right?

Classic Southern Recipe

Is there any other drink that is more classically Southern than sweet tea? Here in the South iced sweet tea is more than just a drink - it's practically a way of life. 🙂 Think rocking chairs and front porches - peacefully sipping away on a delicious glass of refreshing tea served over ice on a hot and humid 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 in the recipe card. 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!

Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later! 😉

Sweet tea recipe served in a clear glass.Pin

Substitutions and Variations

  • Flavored syrups such as peach or raspberry are a wonderful addition. Many are sweetened so be sure to use sugar-free if needed.
  • Use green tea bags in place of the black tea bags.
  • My mother used to make sun tea when I was growing up! Place cool water and tea bags in a pitcher (covered) and place out in the direct sun for 3 to 5 hours. The amount of time will depend on how strong you like your tea. Taste it periodically.

How To Make Southern Sweet Tea

Bringing water to a boil in a saucepan to make sweet tea.

1. In a saucepan heat water to boiling.

Steeping tea bags in a saucepan of hot water to make sweet tea.

2. Add the tea bags and steep for 8 minutes.

Whisking sugar into the saucepan to make sweet tea.

3. Remove the tea bags. Add sweetener and whisk to dissolve the sugar.

Store southern sweet tea recipe in a pitcher and refrigerate or serve over ice in a tall glass.Pin

4. Allow the tea to cool then transfer to a glass pitcher and refrigerate.

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!

Two clear glasses of sweet tea with lemon and mint.Pin

Best Sweet Tea Recipe Tips

  • 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 ½ teaspoon 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 ½ 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 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

How many tea bags equals a family size tea bag?

4 regular tea bags equals 1 family-sized tea bag.

Why do you put baking soda in sweet tea?

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!

Do you need to boil water to make iced tea?

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.

Does unsweet tea have calories?

Unsweet tea has no calories. If you follow this recipe, the tea will have 1 calorie, depending upon the sweetener you use.

Does Sweet Tea have caffeine?

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.

Can I ask you a favor?

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get healthy fresh recipe ideas every week!

📖 The recipe.

square image of full glasses, and a pitcher of, refreshing southern sweet tea with a lemon wedge, mint sprig, and colorful blue and white straws.

Homemade Sweet Tea (Sugar Free)

An easy-to-make classic Southern sweet tea recipe that's ever-so-popular! This Southern-style version can be made sugar-free or regular, so not only is it tasty and refreshing - it's guilt-free too! Enjoy!
4.63 from 16 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Author Kori Butler
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 18 minutes mins
Course Beverages & Cocktails
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 1 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 cups boiling water
  • 2 - 3 (family-sized) black tea bags (4 regular sized tea bags can be used for every 1 family size)
  • ½ to 1 cup sugar substitute with a 1:1 sugar ratio (regular sugar may be used; adjust to taste)
  • optional: ½ teaspoon baking soda (used to reduce the tannins and tanginess of the black tea)
  • ice
  • for 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 while the water is still hot, add the sweetener whisking to dissolve. (Optional: add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to remove the bitter taste of the tea.
  • Allow tea to cool then transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate. Serve over ice along with lemon wedges and mint leaves.

Video

Kori's Tips

  • 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.
  • Use 4 regular-sized tea bags for every 1 family-sized bag.
  • If you don't like the "tangy bite" of tea, add ½ 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 - feel free to adjust the sugar to your liking. If you aren't sure, start with ½ cup sugar and add more to where it's perfect for you.
  • 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 side, use 3 tea bags. For a more medium flavor, use 2.

Nutrition

Serving: 8oz glassCalories: 1kcalCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 24g
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @seekinggoodeatsofficial or tag #seekinggoodeats! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.

© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Frieda

    May 21, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    can you substitute green tea for black tea?

    Reply
    • seekinggoodeats

      May 22, 2023 at 3:30 pm

      Yes you can! It will have a different taste of course, but adjust the sweetness to your tastes and it should be fine! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Donna

    May 16, 2023 at 11:40 am

    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

    Reply
    • seekinggoodeats

      May 16, 2023 at 5:35 pm

      Great tip! Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Rita

    August 19, 2020 at 5:19 pm

    Nothing better than a good ‘ole glass of iced sweet tea. Thank you for the sugar free recipe!! 🙂

    Reply
    • seekinggoodeats

      August 19, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      I know, right? 🙂 Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
4.63 from 16 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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Hey there, I'm Kori.

I’m a culinary school trained chef specializing in holistic nutrition and wellness. I’ve always been a major foodie, and as I’ve aged, the full impact of my love of food—and not-necessarily-healthy eating habits—caught up to me. In an effort to make positive changes in my life (and hopefully yours, too), I created this website where I could share great-tasting, craveable, healthy recipes.

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