This Diet Sweet Tea Recipe is the best way to make homemade sweet tea. This would be perfect for anyone on a sugar-free diet who is looking for a low carb drink to cool down with on those hot summer days. Pour yourself a tall glass and enjoy.
I've always been a fan of Southern sweet tea recipes, but the one thing that I didn't care for was that they just had so much sugar in them. That's when I realized that there could be different ways to enjoy that sweet iced tea flavor without the addition of loads of white sugar. This drink is a great way to get that classic sweet tea taste while still staying making sure of limiting sugar intake and therefore cutting out the stress of added carbs and calories.
This would be a good sweet tea for the warmer months to serve during BBQs, family gatherings, and it's just one of those delicious recipes that everyone will love. It is the perfect drink to enjoy while sitting on the front porch at the end of a long, hot day.
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Be sure to check out my Keto Chai Tea Mix for another delicious and fun drink recipe.
Ingredients
Black tea bags or Family-sized tea bags - Either regular or family size tea bags will work fine for this recipe. You can use what you have on hand. For stronger tea just add more tea bags.
Baking soda - This helps to give the tea a clear coloring and also aids in cutting out any bitter flavor that might occur after the steeping process of the tea bags.
Boiling water - The water needs to be hot so that it steeps the tea to get the most flavoring.
Joy Filled Eats Sweetener - This is my go-to sweetener that I add to my baked goods and drinks.
Cold Water - Tap water or bottled water work fine.
How to this Make Diet Sweet Tea Recipe
Step One: Put the tea bags and baking soda into a large measuring cup or heat safe pitcher.
Step Two: Pour the boiling hot water over the tea bags. Alternatively, you can heat the water in the microwave and then add the bags.
Step Three: Let the tea steep for 15 minutes.
Step Four: Take out the bags and add the sweetener. Stir.
Expert Tip: If all the sweetener does not dissolve you can heat up the tea a bit to help it along.
Step Six: Add the tea and the cups of cold water to a pitcher and serve over ice.
Variations
Add fresh mint leaves - You can easily add a nice minty flavoring to this tea by adding fresh mint leaves into the mix. This adds zero calories but does add flavor.
Garnish with lemon slices or lemon wedges - There's nothing like the flavor of tea and lemon! Pair them together for this sweet drink.
Use different types of tea - Change the flavor of the tea used in this drink. Green tea is a great choice to try. My children love trying different flavors of fruity herbal tea. Loose leaf tea can also work if you have a strainer.
Stir in a little bit of coconut milk - This will 100% change the calorie and carb values, but it's a fun way to make a different type of cold brew tea.
Make unsweetened tea - If you're not a fan of adding any amount of sweetener, don't. You can enjoy the ice tea without a sweet flavor or simply add some lemon juice into it for a tasty secret ingredient.
Other sweeteners - If you don't need this to be completely sugar-free and keto friendly you can use maple syrup or honey in place of the sugar free sweetener
Common Questions
Is sweet tea keto?
You can enjoy this Southern favorite on the keto diet as long as you're not adding regular tea or honey as the sweetener of choice. Using my keto-friendly sweetener is a simple way that any sweet tea lover can sip the day away without the worry of net carbs.
How to make sweet tea without sugar?
While drinking unsweet tea might be fine for some, there are times that the sugar flavoring is a must. Remember that not all artificial sweeteners are created equal, so it's important to use one that is keto-friendly so that it sticks true to the guidelines of the keto diet.
What is the best sugar substitute for sweet tea?
I love using my own sugar substitute for this healthy iced tea recipe. It tastes like the real thing and makes a sweeter tea without a funky aftertaste like so many others do. Plus, when you make your own sweetener at home, it means that you have it handy to use in all the other recipes, too.
Why add baking soda to iced tea?
Baking soda is often used in iced tea for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it helps to neutralize the acidity of the tea, resulting in a smoother and less bitter taste. This can be especially beneficial when using strong or highly acidic teas. Additionally, baking soda can help to reduce any cloudiness that may occur when adding ice to the tea, resulting in a clearer and more visually appealing drink. Lastly, some people believe that baking soda can enhance the flavor of the tea by bringing out its natural sweetness. Overall, adding baking soda to iced tea can improve its taste, appearance, and overall drinking experience.
Is sweet tea gluten free?
Yes, sweet tea is gluten free. Since you're only adding a handful of simple ingredients, it's easy to make sure that there is nothing being added to this sugar free iced tea that would affect being gluten free.
Can I make this as sun tea?
Sure. If it is hot and sunny where you live just put the tea bags in 6 cups of water and place the jar in the sunshine. Let steep for a few hours. Stir in the sweetener and then add a few cups of ice cubes. There is nothing better than a glass of sweet tea on a hot day.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 regular sized black tea bags or 3 family sized tea bags
- pinch baking soda
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 6 cups cold water
Instructions
- Place the tea bags and baking soda in a large glass measuring cup or heat-safe pitcher.
- Pour the boiling water over the tea bags.
- Let steep for 15 minutes.
- Remove the bags and add the sweetener.
- Stir until dissolved.
- Add the tea and cold water to a large pitcher.
- Serve over ice.
Notes
Nutrition
Andrea says
How much of everything else if I used a gallon sized tea bag?
Taryn says
You will have to play around with the exact amounts but my recipe makes about 2 quarts so you would be doubling the other ingredients.
Judith McAllister says
Why do you use baking soda?
Taryn says
Baking soda helps neutralize the acidity of the tea.