Southern Sweet Tea

Southern Sweet Tea is a staple beverage in the American South, traditionally brewed by steeping black tea in hot water and then dissolving a large amount of sugar into the hot liquid before chilling. It is typically made from simple ingredients like black tea bags, water, and granulated sugar, and is often served over ice with a lemon wedge. This refreshing drink is a cultural icon across states like Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama.

🍳 View the full Southern Sweet Tea recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This drink is very high in carbohydrates, almost entirely from added sugar, and contains no significant fat or protein. A typical 16-ounce serving can contain around 150-200 calories, providing a quick source of energy but little in the way of essential vitamins or minerals.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	100 kcal
Protein	0 g
Carbs	27 g
Fat	0 g
Fiber	0 g
Sugar	27 g
Sodium	5 mg
Potassium	10 mg
Manganese	0.1 mg
Fluoride	0.3 mg
Copper	0.01 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.002 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)	0.02 mg

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

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Sweet Tea is so ingrained in the Southern identity that it's often simply called 'tea' in the region, with unsweetened versions being specified. Nutritionally, its role as a 'base to sweeten' highlights a traditional method of making a large, communal batch that can be diluted further with water or lemonade to taste.