13 Sweet Tea Recipes That Turn the Old-School Classic Into an Exciting New Sipper

Recipe: Classic Sweet Tea

There is simply no more iconic Southern drink, and you should really master the basics before embarking on any crazy detours.

Recipe: Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers

Spiked with bourbon, this crowd-pleasing Arnold Palmer is just for the adults, and you won't have to worry about constantly stirring up more, thanks to the big-batch ingredient list. 

Recipe: Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea

We can bet you have never had a sweet tea like this one, but you'll be so happy you veered from your mother's old recipe, if only for the weekend. Strawberries and basil make a fragrant, fruity duo. 

Recipe: Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

We'll take our glass of sweet tea—and eat it, too! Literally. This is an Arnold Palmer as a slice.

Recipe: Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea

Did someone call for a new spiked summer drink to enjoy by the pool or at the outdoor barbecue? This peach-infused bourbon tea is just the thing. 

Recipe: Sweet Tea Mule

Ginger beer, bourbon, and lime juice transform basic sweet tea into a refreshing cocktail you'll want to lap up on any warm afternoon. 

Recipe: Sweet Tea Bundt

We promised "new," didn't we? This is what we call a slice of sweetness. When the cake is out of the oven, it's brushed with a sweet tea syrup that gives the flavor of sweet tea and moistens the entire cake.

Recipe: Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch

Add major flair to the pitcher with fresh pineapple and pineapple juice, and you can even spike it with a dash of vodka for the adults, if preferred.

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs

Oh, you didn't see this one coming? Incorporate everyone's favorite Southern drink into the savory side of dinnertime with this melt-in-your-mouth recipe that absolutely bursts with interesting flavors.

Recipe: Mint Julep Sweet Tea

This iced cocktail features the best of two classic Southern drinks: the mint julep and sweet tea. For best results, sip in a rocking chair on a front porch somewhere.

The secret to this fruity tea recipe is a homemade peach simple syrup that adds just enough sweetness and fresh peach flavor, as well as the addition of fresh ginger. 

Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

Brining is essential to having the juiciest fried chicken ever, but using a salty-sweet brine of brown sugar and freshly brewed tea is actually a genius combination that adds slightly more intricate flavor. Everyone will be asking about it—and for seconds. 

Recipe: Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Consider this an extra spunky Arnold Palmer. Fresh-brewed tea, ice-cold lemonade, Southern-made bourbon, honey-infused simple syrup, and orange wedges are ready to take your porch-sipping to the next level.