Refreshing Southern Sweet Tea Recipes

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

There are a few trademark things folks think of when they think of the South. Those tend to be things like friendly people, sunny weather, and sweet iced tea—very sweet. A classic Southern sweet tea recipe can be very simple—just tea, sugar, water, and lemon if you so choose. But we’re also all in favor of mixing it up, so we’ve gathered some of our favorite sweet tea recipes that range from traditional to totally fresh and new. We’ll walk you through how to make sweet tea, but also how to make sweet-tea inspired treats, like Sweet Tea Tiramisù or Sweet Tea Dulce de Leche. Or incorporate the sweet drink into the main course with recipes like our Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette or Sweet Tea Brined Chicken. We’ve even got a recipe for Sweet Tea Rice. Who knew there were so many spins on this Southern staple. For even more hydrating ideas, check out our gallery of refreshing teas and non-alcoholic sippers.

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Classic Sweet Tea

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Classic Sweet Tea

There is simply no more iconic Southern drink.

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Southern Sweet Tea

Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea

Our classic recipe for sweet iced tea, Southern Sweet Tea, is a Southerner's favorite. If you like your iced tea extra sweet, add the full cup of sugar.

Watch: Simply Southern Sweet Tea

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Lemon-Blueberry Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemon-Blueberry Sweet Tea

Blueberries and lemon add a refreshing flair to iced tea for your next summer get-together.

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Sweet Tea Tiramisù

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Tiramisù

Tiramisù is delicious no matter what. Throw sweet tea into the mix and you'll have a to-die-for dessert.

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Blackberry Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Blackberry Sweet Tea

Shake your thirst with an inviting glass of Blackberry Sweet Tea. For the garnish, cut desired amount of wooden skewers into 5-inch lengths; then place fresh blackberries on skewers.

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Lemonade Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemonade Sweet Tea

Combine two Southern favorites—lemonade and iced tea—for a deliciously refreshing drink.

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Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

This salad is packed with delicious ingredients—pecans, shrimp, peaches, and blue cheese. Whip up an easy Sweet Tea Vinaigrette to top it off.

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Citrus Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Citrus Sweet Tea

Pineapple, orange, lemon juice, and cloves help upgrade this Southern classic. Garnish with lemon slices for a memorable drink.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

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.

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Sweet Tea Icebox Tart

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Icebox Tart

A cool citrus-flavored tart with a hint of sweet tea is the perfect dessert. Serve in a Gingersnap Crust, or use your favorite prepared crust for an easy shortcut.

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Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

Instead of sweetening your iced tea with sugar, use honey instead. Add some grated fresh ginger for a delightful twist.

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Sweet Tea Dulce de Leche

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Dulce de Leche

Serve this sweet concoction over ice cream with salted nuts. Yum!

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Governor's Mansion Summer Peach Tea Punch

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Governor's Mansion Summer Peach Tea Punch

Great for a summer party, this peach sweet tea punch is a refreshing crowd pleaser.

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Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

A hint of tea, brown sugar, and rosemary makes up the marinade for this grilled chicken. The combination is irresistible!

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Spiked Lemonade Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spiked Lemonade Sweet Tea

Spiked with bourbon or rum, this sweet tea is just for the adults. Garnish with fresh sugarcane and pineapple slices for a sophisticated presentation.

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Sweet Tea Rice

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Rice

No need to make plain rice ever again! Use tea instead of water while cooking for added flavor.

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Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans

Kick up your rice a notch with jalapeños. Paired with sweet peaches, this recipe will be your favorite sweet-and-spicy side dish.

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Sweet Tea Rice Tabbouleh

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Sweet Tea Rice Tabbouleh

Try a fresh tabbouleh recipe for another twist on plain rice—seasoned with mint, lemon juice, parsley, and green onions.

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Slightly Sweet Tea

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Slightly Sweet Tea

Serve refreshing sweet tea to guests without a tinge of guilt. This green tea version is sweetened with honey and flavored with orange and lime. At 68 calories per cup, you may find a new summer favorite.

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Simple Syrups

Photo: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Mint Simple Syrup

Recipe: Lemon Balm Simple Syrup

Recipe: Basil Simple Syrup

Recipe: Rosemary Simple Syrup

Jazz up your iced tea with these simple syrups. Add two to three Tbsp. of one of these syrups to add loads of flavor to your iced tea.

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Feeling rowdy? Spin this into a tipsy cake by substituting up to 2 Tbsp. vodka or bourbon for the lemon juice in the frosting.

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21 New Ways to Enjoy Sweet Tea

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Classic Sweet Tea

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Southern Sweet Tea

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Lemon-Blueberry Sweet Tea

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Sweet Tea Tiramisù

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Blackberry Sweet Tea

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Lemonade Sweet Tea

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Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

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Citrus Sweet Tea

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

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Sweet Tea Icebox Tart

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Ginger-and-Honey Sweet Tea

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Sweet Tea Dulce de Leche

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Governor's Mansion Summer Peach Tea Punch

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Sweet Tea-Brined Chicken

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Spiked Lemonade Sweet Tea

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Sweet Tea Rice

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Sweet Tea Rice with Jalapeño, Peaches, and Pecans

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Sweet Tea Rice Tabbouleh

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Slightly Sweet Tea

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Simple Syrups

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

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