Iced Sweet Tea

Iced Sweet Tea is a beloved cold beverage from the Southern United States, made by brewing black tea and generously sweetening it while it's still hot, then chilling it over ice. Its typical ingredients include black tea bags or loose-leaf tea, sugar (often a substantial amount), and water, sometimes with a lemon wedge for garnish.

🍳 View the full Iced Sweet Tea recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This drink is very high in carbohydrates, almost entirely from added sugar, with negligible fat or protein. A standard 12-ounce serving can contain around 100-150 calories, providing a quick energy boost but little in the way of essential nutrients.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	90 kcal
Protein	0 g
Carbs	24 g
Fat	0 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	24 g
Sodium	10 mg
Potassium	30 mg
Manganese	0.1 mg
Vitamin C	0 mg
Calcium	5 mg
Magnesium	2 mg
Phosphorus	5 mg
Niacin (B3)	0.1 mg
Fluoride	0.1 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, it's a staple of Southern hospitality and identity, often served at social gatherings, barbecues, and family meals. Nutritionally, its high sugar content makes it a significant source of empty calories, which has sparked modern interest in unsweetened or lightly sweetened variations.