Sweet Tea (American South)
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Sweet tea is a staple beverage of the American South, made by brewing black tea and dissolving a generous amount of sugar into it while the tea is still hot, then chilling it. It is typically served ice-cold in a tall glass, often with a lemon slice, and is a ubiquitous presence at family gatherings, barbecues, and restaurants throughout the region.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Sweet tea is very high in carbohydrates, almost entirely from added sugar, with a typical 16-ounce serving containing around 150-200 calories and over 40 grams of sugar. It provides negligible amounts of fat, protein, or essential vitamins and minerals, offering primarily quick energy from its sugar content.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, sweet tea is so deeply ingrained in Southern identity that it's often considered a default drink, with 'unsweetened' being a specific request. Its preparation method—adding sugar to hot tea for perfect dissolution—is a key technique that distinguishes it from simply adding syrup or sweetener to a cold brew.