🍹Front Porch Southern Sweet Tea

Refreshing, sweet, and steeped in Southern tradition — a glass of homemade sweet tea is more than a drink. It’s an invitation to slow down, sit awhile, and enjoy the simple moments.

Ingredients

• 6 regular black tea bags
• 4 cups boiling water
• ¾–1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 6 cups cold water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
• Fresh lemon slices, for serving
• Fresh mint leaves, optional

Instructions

1. Brew the Tea

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add tea bags.

Allow tea bags to steep for 5–10 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.

2. Sweeten While Warm

Remove tea bags and stir in sugar while the tea is still warm. Stir until completely dissolved.

3. Add Cold Water

Pour the sweetened tea into a large pitcher. Add 6 cups of cold water and stir well.

Add lemon juice if desired for a bright, fresh flavor.

4. Chill and Serve

Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice with lemon slices and fresh mint.

Front Porch Tip ☕

For the smoothest sweet tea, never squeeze the tea bags after steeping — it can make the tea taste bitter. Let the tea bags do their work, then remove them gently.

Southern Sweet Tea Variations 🌻

🍑 Peach Sweet Tea: Add peach nectar or fresh peach slices.
🍓 Strawberry Sweet Tea: Blend fresh strawberries with a little sugar and stir into the tea.
🍋 Southern Lemon Tea: Add extra lemon slices and a splash of lemonade.

A Memory from the Porch 🌻

Sweet tea has always been a symbol of Southern hospitality. It’s what you offer a neighbor who stops by, what sits on the table during family gatherings, and what makes a warm afternoon feel just a little sweeter.

Makes: About 1 gallon