A Secret Ingredient to Southern Style Sweet Tea

Elevate your Southern beverage game with this irresistible recipe for Southern-style sweet tea, infused with a surprising twist: vanilla extract. This secret ingredient adds a delicate, floral richness to the traditional blend of steeped black tea and granulated sugar, creating a refreshingly sweet and layered flavor profile. Perfect for warm days or entertaining guests, this recipe effortlessly combines simplicity with sophistication. With just 5 minutes of prep and a short chill time in the fridge, you’ll have a pitcher of smooth, ice-cold perfection ready to serve. Pair this sweet tea with fresh lemon slices and plenty of ice cubes for the ultimate citrusy refreshment. If you're looking for the best recipe for authentic Southern sweet tea with a unique twist, this vanilla-infused version will soon be your go-to!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 6 pieces black tea bags
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the secret ingredient!)
• 2 pieces fresh lemon slices (optional, for serving)
• 4 cups ice cubes

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over high heat.

Step 2

Once the water is boiling, remove it from the heat and add the black tea bags. Let the tea steep for 5 minutes to extract the perfect flavor.

Step 3

Carefully remove and discard the tea bags. Stir in the granulated sugar until it fully dissolves in the hot tea concentrate.

Step 4

Add the secret ingredient: vanilla extract. Stir well to combine, ensuring the sweet, floral notes infuse evenly throughout the tea.

Step 5

Pour the tea concentrate into a large heat-safe pitcher. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to dilute the tea to the perfect consistency.

Step 6

Let the tea cool to room temperature, then transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 7

To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled sweet tea over the top.

Step 8

Optional: Add fresh lemon slices for an additional citrusy touch, if desired. Enjoy your elevated Southern sweet tea!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3126.2 grams (3126.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	784

Total Fat 0.20g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.00g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 60mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate 203.70g	74%
Dietary Fiber 1.00g	4%
Total Sugars 201.50g
Protein 0.40g	1%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 119mg	9%
Iron 0mg	1%
Potassium 41mg	1%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 0.2%

Protein: 0.2%

Carbs: 99.6%