Tea, iced, brewed, black, pre-sweetened with sugar
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a chilled, ready-to-drink black tea that has been brewed and then pre-sweetened with sugar, offering a classic, brisk tea flavor with a clean, sweet finish. The liquid is typically a clear, deep amber color with no pulp or texture, providing a refreshing and smooth mouthfeel. Nutritionally, it is a low-calorie beverage, deriving its energy almost entirely from its 7.68g of added sugar per 100g serving.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its perfect balance of brisk, tannic tea notes and straightforward sweetness, making it a go-to thirst quencher on hot days. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed alone, with meals, or as a base for cocktails and mocktails, deeply embedded in casual dining and convenience culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is the added sugar content, which can contribute to blood sugar spikes and empty calories if consumed in excess. For those monitoring sugar intake, it's wise to check labels for serving size, opt for smaller portions, or dilute it with water or unsweetened tea to reduce the sugar load per serving.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Offers a refreshing, hydrating alternative to plain water.
- Contains antioxidants from the black tea base.
- Convenient, pre-prepared format for on-the-go consumption.
- A familiar, comforting flavor profile for many palates.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The concept of pre-sweetening tea while it's still hot before chilling is a key technique in the American South, as it ensures the sugar dissolves completely and integrates fully, preventing a gritty texture.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 92.0 g |
| Energy | 32.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.02 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 0.00 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 3.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 1.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 34.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 3.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.02 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 5.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 5.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.40 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 18.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 2.0 mg |
FAQ
Is pre-sweetened iced tea the same as sweet tea?
They are very similar. 'Sweet tea' traditionally refers to tea brewed and sweetened in a large batch, often at home or in a restaurant. 'Pre-sweetened' is a commercial term for tea sweetened and packaged by a manufacturer for retail sale.
Does the sugar content vary a lot between brands?
Yes, it can. While the provided data is an average, some brands may have more or less sugar per serving. Always check the nutrition label to compare the grams of added sugar.
Can I use this as a base for other drinks?
Absolutely. It's a perfect starting point for cocktails like an Arnold Palmer (mixed with lemonade) or a spiked iced tea. You can also dilute it with sparkling water for a lighter spritzer.