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  4. 13 Sweet Tea Recipes That Turn the Old-School Classic Into an Exciting New Sipper

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

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated May 10, 2021
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Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Sweet tea isn't just some drink we tend to enjoy down in the South. It's the drink. It sits on the table as we tell stories and laugh with loved ones, and it's there waiting for us when the summer heat spanks us silly. While a traditional Southern sweet tea recipe can be very simple and hard to veer away from—why mess with perfection?—we've got just as many variations that turn this old-fashioned classic into a fun new sipper. From bourbon-spiked Arnold Palmers that are ready to be your new porch cocktail to sweet tea-infused cakes that make the ultimate family barbecue dessert, these sweet tea recipes are showing all of the ways to enjoy the company of this iced-down Southern staple.

Here are 13 recipes that'll have you immediately grabbing the tea bags and sugar. 

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Classic Sweet Tea

Classic Sweet Tea
Credit: Alison Miksch

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.

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Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers

Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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. 

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Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea

Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea
Credit: Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

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. 

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Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake

Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake
Credit: Hector Sanchez

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.

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Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea

Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin

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. 

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Sweet Tea Mule

Sweet Tea Mule
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

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. 

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Sweet Tea Bundt

Sweet Tea Bundt Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

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.

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Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch

Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
Credit: Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

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.

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

Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

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.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Mint Julep Sweet Tea
Credit: 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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Peach Sweet Tea

Peach Truck Pitchers - Peach Sweet Tea
Credit: Elesia Johnson

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. 

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Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken

Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

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. 

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Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

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.

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    1 of 13 Classic Sweet Tea
    2 of 13 Big-Batch Spiked Arnold Palmers
    3 of 13 Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea
    4 of 13 Sweet Tea-and-Lemonade Cake
    5 of 13 Bourbon-Peach Iced Tea
    6 of 13 Sweet Tea Mule
    7 of 13 Sweet Tea Bundt
    8 of 13 Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch
    9 of 13 Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs
    10 of 13 Mint Julep Sweet Tea
    11 of 13 Peach Sweet Tea
    12 of 13 Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken
    13 of 13 Spiced Tea Bourbon Refresher

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