Southern Lemon Iced Tea
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Cool, refreshing Southern Lemon Iced Tea has the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors in one iconic summer beverage. The secret to its remarkably smooth taste lies in a surprising ingredient, which eliminates any bitter notes and lets the bright citrus and tea flavors truly shine!
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Sweet Lemon Iced Tea
I can tell you there’s nothing like sipping on this iced tea to bring back those warm, nostalgic moments of family, friends, and sunshine.
Southern Lemon Iced Tea is great for any time at home but especially yummy for special occasions like bridal or baby showers, Mother’s Day brunch, or other celebrations. Serve it with the perfect sweet complements, like Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake or Fresh Strawberry Scones With Lemon Glaze—Yum!
Ingredient Notes for Lemon Iced Tea Recipe
- Sugar | Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tart lemon.
- Baking soda | Helps smooth out the flavor and brings out the tea’s rich color.
- Black tea | Gives the iced tea its bold, robust flavor that makes it a classic.
- Water | Boiling water steeps the tea, while cold water dilutes it to perfection.
- Lemon | Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the tea a bright, zesty kick.
- Ice | Chills the tea for a refreshing, crisp sip every time.
Variations and Substitutions
- Adjust the Sweetness. Everyone has their preference, so feel free to add more or less sugar to your taste. The same goes for the fresh lemon juice!
- Tea Blends. Explore other tea blends, like raspberry black tea or green tea.
- Citrus. If you want the refreshing brightness of citrus, you can add to or swap the lemon for orange, limes, or tangerines.
- If preferred, use your favorite tea concentrate and skip the step of brewing the tea.
- Alternative Sweeteners. Try honey, Splenda, agave, or another favorite.
How to Make Southern Lemon Sweet Tea
This recipe comes together in a snap – just a pitcher, a spoon, and a few simple ingredients, and you’ve got a refreshing drink ready to enjoy!
PREP INGREDIENTS. Place sugar and baking soda into a heat-safe pitcher or jug (or use another heat-safe vessel). Remove the tea bags from the paper sleeves and twirl gently to twist the strings together (this will allow you to easily remove the tea bags later). Place the tea bundle into the pitcher and allow the paper tags to overlap the edge.
BOIL WATER. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a teapot or saucepan. Carefully pour the boiling water over the tea bags.
STEEPING THE TEA. Stir with a long spoon until the sugar is dissolved. Steep the tea for 5 minutes (no more than 10 minutes), then discard the tea bags without squeezing them.
DILUTE, FLAVOR, & SERVE. Pour 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Add the fresh squeezed lemon juice and stir. Serve over ice with additional lemon slices or sprigs of fresh mint and enjoy!
More Recipe Success Tips
Storage Tips
- You can save your fresh iced tea for later by keeping it in a sealed pitcher or container for up to 4-7 days in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding a pinch of baking soda helps to smooth out the flavor, reduce bitterness, and enhance the color of the tea.
Absolutely! You can make the tea a day or two in advance and keep it chilled in the fridge so it’s ready whenever you need a refreshing sip.
Looking for more Homemade Tea Recipes?
Today’s iced tea is an excellent pick-me-up in the afternoon or a refreshing beverage when spending the day out in the sun. If you love it, you must also try my Refreshing Blueberry Tea!
Or if you’re craving something a little more cozy, try my Homemade Instant Chai Latte Tea Mix.
What to Serve With the Best Lemon Iced Tea Recipe
For dinner, dessert, lunch, or brunch, sweet lemon iced tea is perfect! Here are some quick ideas to get you inspired:
- Grilled Salmon Salad with Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Glazed Lemon Blueberry Muffins Recipe
- Pan Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter
- Grilled Chicken with Caramelized Lemon Vinaigrette
- Fluffy Toasted Coconut Pancakes with Maple Syrup
Love this recipe? Bookmark it for the future!
Simply tap the heart symbol located in the lower right corner of your screen, and the recipe will be securely stored in your own recipe box.
Lemon Iced Tea
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅙ teaspoon baking soda
- 6 – 8 Black tea bags
- 4 cups boiling water
- 4 cups cold water
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ice for serving
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a teapot or saucepan.
- Place sugar and baking soda into a heat-safe pitcher or jug (or use another heat-safe vessel). Remove the tea bags from the paper sleeves and twirl gently to twist the strings together (this will allow you to easily remove the tea bags later). Place the tea bundle into the pitcher and allow the paper tags to overlap the edge.
- Carefully pour the boiling water over the tea bags. Stir with a long spoon until the sugar is dissolved. Steep the tea for 5 minutes (no more than 10 minutes), then discard the tea bags withoout squeezing them.
- Pour 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Add the fresh squeezed lemon juice and stir. Serve over ice with additional lemon slices or sprigs of fresh mint.
Notes
- You can save your fresh iced tea for later by keeping it in a sealed pitcher or container for up to 4-7 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
