Love & Best Dishes: How to Make Sweet Tea Southern Style

[@PaulaDeen]

How sweet do you like your sweet tea?

[@itsmerobinann]

Decaf Lipton with Walmart brand Splenda. In my Mr coffee maker. I make several pots a day. 2 bags to one pot and that makes 2 pots.

[@itsmerobinann]

Family size tea bags. Not the huge ones.

[@glamelame7315]

We grew up drinking unsweetened tea. My mother drank hers unsweetened and when we were little we would steal sips from her glass. So she announced one day "If y'all can drink my unsweetened tea I'm not gonna put sugar in y'all's!" To this day, that's how I drink my iced tea. Hot tea I always add sugar and milk.

[@deniset943]

Thank you so much. I love your recipes

[@lagayames9034]

Cup and half when want to add lemon, otherwise only 2/3 cup

[@kayrackley4698]

I used to make tea daily for about 20 years and then I quit. My girls got married and moved so just did not have the need anymore except holidays. But I make my tea the same way Paula. Yum!

[@diamond6256]

I grew up making Sweet Tea this very way, my Sweet Mama taught me. Since then. I started making it in the coffee pot, I cut my teas bags from 3 to 2, (to cut my caffeine and it eliminated my migraines) my sugar from 2 cups to 1-1/2. Once brewed I cut coffee maker off and let steep and cool somewhat. I make a gal. use half water and the other half is tea. Works great. I drink tea only for dinner. Water the rest of the time. I do this as my treat. On Fridays, I have ONE Dr Pepper which is my all time favorite as an end of the week treat. I still do this now retired at 66 in Texas. Our brand tea here is Lipton.

[@veravaladez1525]

That's the brand my name Mom used and now that's the only brand i buy!!

[@angelapate328]

My Mama made luzianne tea, also & said whatever floats your boat on the daily. She left us to be with Jesus this past year & this made me feel closer to her. 💖

[@Moona1966]

I've been having the WORST craving for some sweet tea! Miss Paula, I make it the exact same way you do, but without the mint. My family isn't much on the mint. Hope you and yours have a lovely weekend!

[@LadyRustedKnight]

My father was a sweet tea nut. He could taste the paper from the tea bag and insisted mother make his tea from loose leaf tea. We decided to put him to the test to see if he could pick the tea bag tea or loose leaf tea. We made two pitchers, one of each type. Lined up 6 half glasses (marked) with ice and equal amounts of each tea. Holy moly, he could taste the paper! And side by side, I could also taste the paper (my dad called this phenomenon a whang taste) 😂Poor mom, her fine mesh tea strainer was the most valuable item in our home! It’s 65 years old and I STILL use it. 🕊✌️🇺🇸🌐Lady Rusted Knight

[@stacey5925]

That's so funny! Sounds kind of like my Dad was on certain things! Thanks for sharing!

[@elena7659]

Love this little story 💕🤣🫖

[@charitys.3862]

❤

[@MaryDavidson911]

What does “Lady” mean?

[@jeremiahcomer]

I’m so happy you use Luzianne tea! It is absolutely the best for southern style sweet tea! The best sugar substitute I have ever tried is called Bochasweet. It tastes the most like cane sugar. I bet Paula would prefer it over what’s she’s tried.

[@candettecorman5971]

My sister lived in S Carolina she is the one that got me hooked on sweet tea. I am going to try it your way. Yum yum.

[@staceysmith3775]

Hi Miss Paula! My husband and I went to your restaurant (for the first time) last week in Tennessee. We had the best meal, however the highlight was the peach sweet tea! Best tea that I ever had! Also, when I make tea for company, I make simple syrup. That way everyone can choose how sweet they want their tea. 😊

[@asweetnspicyginger2443]

I do mine the same way miss Paula. Squeeze the bags and pour water over them to get every last drop. I just thought i was being frugal. 😂

[@FitforFiftyish]

Yes! Luzianne tea is the only tea Ive bought FOR many many years. Hands down the best. I make 2 pitchers of sweet tea for the weekend and it’s gone by Monday. Love to hear Hubs say “Umph. That’s some good tea” 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@kaycurrie9356]

I loved it Paula!!!! BEST was at the end - it could use a little more sugar! My favorite is Luzianne too!

[@melissaspencer632]

I've always been a big fan of sweet tea. The first time we went to The Lady and Sons was when I first had it served with mint. We loved it!

[@jonathanjonhyerschannel2984]

Good ole Luzianne tea. I’ve been drinking it for 30 years. Glad to see you like it too!

[@JL-zn6uu]

Hey Paula! Add a copper penny or two to your vase when you have fresh tulips - they will stand up straight for you! Lots of love from Canada 😘🤗

[@Jane-777-t7g]

That's how we were raised in the south on how to make our sweet tea too but we always used Lipton , I also like Red Rose tea

[@jlouis4407]

Lipton is good too I love Luzianne

[@zzzzipy12]

I’m a type 2 diabetic too, so no sugar sweet tea for me either. You do get used to the sugar replacements. I will say when Paula started pouring the hot tea into the Crystal pitcher, I did hold my breath, glad it didn’t shatter! ❤️ asked me how I know that happens!

[@summerf3022]

I thought the same thing; I was bracing myself for it to shatter!!! (Been there done that lol!)

[@nascar88gyrl]

If you put a metal spoon in the glass container, it won't shatter.

[@zzzzipy12]

@@nascar88gyrl yes!!!! I learned that the hard way, but that works like a dream!

[@zzzzipy12]

@@summerf3022 I was holding my breath! I’m surprised Eddie or Teresa didn’t say something.

[@reesiezanga5232]

artificial sweeteners are also bad, they still trigger a glucose response. Your best bet is unsweetened tea

[@tea4unme210]

I appreciate you showing how to properly make sweet tea and a lot more things…I have learnt so much from you! Since I lost my mom right after marrying I turned to you too learn what I know today. It must be working it’s been 24 years now. So thank you 🙏 for being there for me. 🥰

[@deanaedwards8027]

Paula. Your restaurants have the best tea Ive ever tasted. And I was born drinking sweet tea.

[@LeeLee277]

Hey Paula, my grandma actually raised me (I called her mom) but she so loved watching you on tv. By the time I was an adult and go visit her all we would talk about was you and your recipes 🥰. But I’m not sure if she got this from you or who. But she would say “you know what tea is actually know as… Champaign of the south” That always cracked me up. Paula, I just want to thank you for providing all the recipients that lead to the most precious memories I have of my momma 🙏🥰 have a good day.

[@mml9018]

Yeah, my husband isn't from the south like me. He LOVES my iced sweet tea. 😋 Thank you Paula for the fresh mint example. I'm going to do that soon.

[@Katrn30]

Nothing like sweet tea made by a real Southern lady!

[@crawleyr4919]

I love you all so very much. I’m in so much pin- unimaginable pain due to pinched nerve/ disk problem in neck- writhing around in pain, no meds helping... but this takes my mind off the pain for a few minutes. Thank you

[@debbiewestphal4291]

Hope you feel better soon 🤗💕

[@stevenwilson1762]

Mmmmmm...love sweet tea! My mom liked the Luzianne tea so I use it too. Thank you Paula...Mrs.Steve 😊

[@karenbrown5177]

I miss Georgia. I lived there for 5 years and taught school. I so want to come back. 😩 I always drank iced sweet tea in the morning before school and during the day. I can't handle all the sugar now nor the caffeine after the noon hour or I stay awake all night. But I still love it. Blessings to you all

[@lindanorton5436]

Sweet tea in the Summer was a treat for everyone, but me, in the Summer…. I’ve never developed a taste for tea, but I have made many gallons for my family and friends. We make our Sweet Tea just like you do, Paula…. Except in Montana Meyer Lemons are hard to find.

[@joybeaudry8727]

I grew with my momma making Sun Tea. That pitcher sat on the back porch all the time! But I never thought about rinsing my tea bags in the cold water.. genius! Love ya Paula!!

[@mschilepepper10]

I myself prefer no sugar in my tea but, my family loves sweet tea. Thank you for posting this ❤️

[@kaliwindx7287]

My favorite tea is also Luzianne. It makes great ice tea. I am also diabetic and I use the little packets of sweetener rather than sugar and it comes out just fine. I love lemons so I’ll juice a lemon into my big pitcher of tea.

[@The_Heartless_Empath]

No where better to go for true southers recipes. You always seem to bring up memories from my own childhood. Thanks.

[@MP-js5ro]

I steep a big sprig of sweet mint (not peppermint) with the tea bags. Love mint tea for hot FL summers!

[@mollyfox3752]

Recently I purchased Luizana tea. I make my tea similarly to you. But now, I stop and read the tags on the bags. So fun!!! Specifically for: putting your feat up, blended for passin' time, for reminiscing, or for tale tales. Enjoy!

[@countrybumpkin7717]

That's the tea I grew up drinking here in Texas! That's the best tea! ❤💙💜

[@jillwilson1102]

Love the lady who keeps it together!

[@bernadettegreen7134]

amen

[@garyw6776]

I make my tea very similar to yours, it looks great!

[@pammullins5579]

It definitely is a science to making ice tea! Ty for this video as I've wondered exactly how my mother made hers. I've been doing it wrong & am thrilled that you've set me straight! Love & best tea drinking!💕

[@jillybean4265]

I was taught you couldn't make tea unless you had sugar! Now I've gotten accustomed to drinking unsweetened tea as I don't like the artificial sweeteners. This tea looks so good and brings back memories.

[@barbaramontgomery5317]

Love sweet tea. Be careful pouring hot tea in a glass pitcher.

[@TheOnlyKillena]

Shout out for NC!!! Lol. Thank you for this. I try and try teach my kids and for some reason can NEVER get it!! So I sent this to them. Maybe now they can get it right. Lol thanks Paula. 😊

[@xoemilee99]

I’m from Texas, and this is how my mama taught me how to make sweet tea and comes out the best testing as always.

[@tammyreilly9889]

Your sweet tea looks delicious!! Thanks for showing us how to make sweets tea!

[@estellaturner4614]

Ummm looks sooo refreshing 🤤

[@dehunludwig6504]

Love me some sweet tea ! Paula you make me smile 😊 blessings to all!

[@joyscranfield5527]

We make tea the same way but I always use 1/3 cup sugar to a gallon & it does seem to get sweeter the longer it's made. Trying to encourage the grandchildren not to get so hooked on sugar. Love plenty of ice & lemon, too. Want a spoon of honey in cup of hot tea.

[@billysmith7327]

I like really strong tea, so I add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to the teabags while they' are in the hot water. Let it steep for a few hours.

[@reesewhitt5495]

I love sweet tea. Thank

[@jackiebryant4660]

I love that brand of tea. I love it that sweet. Thanks.

[@Stacy-pz9rr]

Luzianne is the best Tea for Sweet Tea …I’m from Tx I was raised on Luzianne I raised my family on on Luzianne …we don’t know any other way ….but after we steep it we remove the bags and melt the sugar in the pot …Then pour it directly over the ice in our pitcher and it’s perfect every time it’s a beautiful Golden color and tastes fresh for days but it never last that long n our house Much ❤️from TX y’all

[@lovebeingamammaw2023]

Greetings Mrs. Paula my mom show me how to make tea the same way you do but some differences she use Red Rose Black Tea she put 1 1/3 cup of pure cane sugar in her gallon glass pitcher she put candied Meyer lemon slices and candied ginger slices it is so good til this day 👍🏻💯❤️

[@bluegrassbabe1]

I use the Louisianne "sweet tea" bags that are pre-sweetened and 0 calories. I swear I am drinking southern sweet tea it is that good and doesn't taste like diet at all! It has been a life-saver for me!

[@liliabenavides4052]

Hello. Where do you buy it?

[@charitys.3862]

@@liliabenavides4052 yeah where do you find it??

[@tinakrafft2034]

Miss Paula, I bought a 60oz glass pitcher. How many small tea bags do I use and how many cups of water do I use to boil and how many cups of cold water do I use? Fan for life! Love you! Ty 💞

[@margiemasih990]

This is one thing in life that has to be perfect...I use tetly British blend,good water and sugar

[@cardur6475]

Tetley is our brand, too! 😋

[@robbiewilliams8569]

Absolutely love Tetley Tea!

[@AuLily1]

I like Tetley too as there isn't a tag on it. Just toss those rounds in water, no muss or fuss.

[@margiemasih990]

I'm having it right now

[@angelita9572]

My husband is literally at Starbucks now buying me some sweet tea😁

[@mrs.maggio8022]

I LOVE a good brew regular tea. For ME the less sugar the better. Thank you Ms. Paula😋💕

[@hockeyqueen1843]

Beautiful Color! Thanks Paula♥️

[@libbystarke2034]

Paula I make my tea the same way you do. Girl....I love me some sweet tea!!!

[@MariaFlores-ql1rg]

Hi Paula I've been making "Sun Tea" since the 80's when it started trending. I lucked out years back when I went thrifting and found a gal. jar that were so popular back in the day and that's how I make my tea. I feel it cut out the bitterness of tea especially since I like mind strong too. And since I follow a Keto lifestyle I sweeten my tea with monk fruit and a little stevia. My preference are key limes but I also like yellow lemons too. BTW you do look great in a pony tail. Blessings.

[@robertbonfiglio3218]

OMG - I do the same exact thing! Be doing it for the last 25 years and last year I discovered the monk fruit with stevia! Much of the time I go without the sweetener but when I do the only thing I will use is the monk fruit - zero carbs and no side effects of the artificial sweetener. Looking good, Paula!

[@justaguylou]

This is going to sound strange but instead of lemon, put in a couple of splashes of pineapple juice. I like lemon too but pineapple has a little more natural sugar so you can cut back on the sweeteners.

[@agmin2098]

That’s a excellent and interesting idea

[@whatsgoingon88814]

Never thought of that. Thanks!

[@vickielfisher5298]

❤️❤️❤️Thank You! Everything looks so BEAUTIFUL there…I’ll make this thanks.

[@jolenemcgee9446]

I use Luzianne tea too!!! I put a cup and a half of sugar into a gallon of tea, also, if my tea bags ever boil in the pot, I put a big pinch of baking soda in the water to keep it from being bitter ❤️

[@joespradley5350]

First thing i can remember makeing from my childhood, thanks for the episode, hope You have a great weekend!

[@amyzimmerman9776]

Hi Paula and team, I am Type 2 diabetic, too, and would love to see a video of you making the tea with artificial sweetener! Thank you for the great videos.

[@Jude300c]

When my parents used to make tea that is the exact brand they used. Good stuff

[@sammyhakimvlogs5608]

This Sweet Tea recipe looks so delicious and refreshing Paula. There's this one brand of Sweet Tea that I've heard about several times now called Y'all Sweet Tea. It's made in Alabama where Ms. Sue Garrett and Ms. Brenda Gantt are from. I've heard it tastes really good.

[@gloriashepherd4448]

Sammy hi I just bought my first box of y'all sweet tea. My husband is very picky about his tea but he absolutely loved y'all sweet tea. The one thing I noticed about it was when you add the sugar it doesn't go to the bottom after stirring there was no evidence of the sugar at the bottom of the pitcher. However you do have to follow the directions on the back to the letter. Try it you won't regret it. 👍😊

[@heatherprice6106]

Yum. My favorite drink of all time. Thanks for sharing Paula ❤

[@janemartin229]

I believe Luzianne says to add one family tea bag for 4 cups total water, which is only a quart. That would be 4 bags for a gallon, like you said. Sweet tea is Southern table wine--we love it so much! I think the reason you couldn't get the tea sweet enough is because you're used to artificial sweeteners which taste a lot sweeter than sugar.

[@ClineFamilyof5]

You may want to keep the mint in the pots…It’s invasive and will take over your garden if you plant it in the ground.

[@stacey5925]

Funny, I have planted mint where I want it to spread, .....and it won't!!!! 🤔

[@PsalmS-vi8zl]

That brand of tea is one of my favorites, too.

[@12hunter100]

Hi Paula, I have used Monk Fruit and it taste like sugar I use it in my recipies, it comes in white and brown. Thank you.

[@indu116]

Sweet tea! You read my mind👏

[@robinradford7408]

I drink sweet tea all the time i go through a gallon in two days. Only luzianne for me. I use the gallon tea bags and 2 cups of sugar. Iput mine in the microwave for 12 mins. Turn it off and let it set for a while. The colder the tea the better i like it with 🍋.

[@merryjohnson3208]

My husband is a sweet tea drinker and requires spring water to make his tea with. No other water makes it taste the same to him! We have city water but we don’t drink it because of the chlorine.

[@traceybracero1662]

You got the good ice too Paula. I know that was a great glass of southern house "wine"! Lol haha I'm from Florida and hate when folks say we ain't southern. But we still love our sweet tea down here in the southern most state.

[@beerobb8220]

Hi Paula. Love this show AND I always enjoy everybody’s comments!!! Who knew there could be so many variations & stories for making sweet tea! Bless you! 😀🇨🇦🍹

[@grammieb6294]

I make my tea in the coffee pot, just like I do coffee! I even have 2 coffee pots 😂💜

[@thomasvanduzer089]

wow that's lovely to hear about... keep it up

[@yeseniaburns3899]

Your as sweet as tea Paula 🥰 I just love listening to you no matter what you are making! ❤️ Don't ever quit! 🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹

[@estherbrown9135]

Hello Miss Paula I like strong strong tea I’m a diabetic also but I don’t put sugar or any kind of sweetener in my iced tea or in my coffee I don’t do none of that I love tea love the tea with mint I love the tea with lemon

[@patriciamartin3685]

Love sweet tea 😋 Thanks for sharing Ms. Paula

[@getlostwhenwondering393]

Miss Paula, try using Monk fruit sweetener. I find it’s the most like regular sugar. ❤️

[@SBahna29]

Thank you Ms Paula for this.. I’ve made tea for us all summer - just following this video

[@debragreen7272]

We use the same brand! I have been drinking sweet tea all my life! When I had my 2nd stroke in 19 I decided to give up my sweet tea! Not because I needed to lose weight but because I was having way too much sugar! I was drinking it all day long! I could drink a gallon in two days n my husband would only have 2 large glasses out of it! I have been wanting some so bad!! But I drink smart water n water all the time now! I had to go back to the hospital in March to get a transfusion n my doctor said I need 32 oz of something similar to smart water every day! I was drinking my minerals out!!! I WAS DRINKING TOO MUCH WATER? ME? So hard to believe! Lol

[@KQOAmericanLady]

That sounds like a great way! I love the mint! I think I remember when My Mom lived in Florida for a spell, she used that brand of tea ☕️. She made Sun tea with this huge jar. It may have been an old Pickel jar? I always made my iced tea similar to how you make. Now we just go an buy premade tea! Shame on us for not making it like the good ol day’s. Thanks 🙏🏼 For giving us a gentle reminder even our summer drinks we can make at home!

[@freeandfabulous4310]

Paula and company…! Thank you for the fun! How much caffeine is in those tea bags? I’d like to order a box right now but can’t have too much caffeine but love tea!!

[@nascar88gyrl]

The Luzianne tea that Paula uses is also available in decaffeinated.

[@freeandfabulous4310]

@@nascar88gyrl thanks so much!

[@ZombieQueen819]

Thank you ma’am for sharing

[@nancysherer4561]

In the 50ts my best friend and l made sweet tea everyday what great memories k😋

[@mickid3705]

I make mine same way. I love sweet tea. But I never heard of anyone boiling tea bags!! Hahaha

[@nascar88gyrl]

Some people do. My mother did and that caused my brother's acid reflux to act up.

[@deborahserio4703]

I’m not a sweet tea drinker but my family enjoys it. I use the same tea bags but no mint. Careful where you plant that mint…it will take over the whole yard! Spreads like a weed!

[@AuLily1]

Absolutely! Far better to confine it to a container, oregano falls under container gardening, for the same reason.

[@libbystarke2034]

Yes ma'am I love mint and lemon in my tea!!

[@patriciahill1013]

I love Luzianne tea. The best tea on the market.

[@kelligalbraith8151]

I’ve just recently learned a secret to making sweet tea. You put an 1/8 of a teaspoon of baking soda in it after you get it all together. The baking soda makes it taste better because it takes some of the bitterness out of it without changing the overall flavor and it also makes it clearer. (Less cloudy) As I’m getting older I can no longer enjoy it quite as sweet so sometimes I opt for half unsweetened tea with half lemonade (called an Arnold Palmer) but any way that you like it, try the baking soda and see what you think! PS. Eddie, I’m the same age as you and we also couldn’t have gadgets in our dorm rooms that could be fire hazards back then! Now they can at least have microwaves to heat things up. Even the rice maker back then was dangerous although it was allowed. My roommate had one and often would forget it was on!!

[@valeriedurrence6131]

That’s the way my Mama made tea. She would make it the night before let it seep overnight then finish the next morning. Always put baking soda in.

[@VinzKlortho]

That’s the secret 😉

[@ctryclb]

I use the Luzianne sweet tea bags. Less than 1 gram of sugar. I put the bags in my Keurig. One family tea bag I use twice & fill up my Tupperware pitchers & refrig. With lemon it’s the best.

[@brendabrasher1971]

I put 1 3/4 cups of sugar for a gallon and 4 family size bags. I put about a quarter of water in the pitcher then the sugar and stir. Then I pour the hot tea in and add water to make a gallon. Lasts us a day.

[@alexiagautier2383]

Thank you for sharing this! What are your thoughts on decaf? Someone once told me its a teabag that has been used and its all dried again to make it decaf. Not sure if that is true? Also, I can not find the perfect pitcher for sweet tea that has a lid and is not plastic!

[@Susiecat24]

I buy Publix jug sweet tea and a jug of their unsweet tea and use half of one and half of the other and it's the perfect sweet for me. I also have diabetes but sweet tea is my only habit/addiction 😂 so I don't care what else gets taken away but sweet tea is my life.

[@tobehonest7541]

Nothing says summer like ice tea yll 🥰

[@tootalltree2002]

Where did you get your spoon from? Love the way you make tea!

[@linda6085]

You and your team are a joy to be with.

[@tiffanydenton-thefarmhouse3848]

I recently decided to try Y’all’s Sweet Tea and it is so delicious!

[@mickid3705]

I have heard of it too. I actually used Luziann for 25 years but I recentlly switched to Lipton and wow, better tea than Luziann t

[@tammiemiller8272]

I have a new electric tea pot i make my ice tea step it then put cool water it my jug then pour the tea in and squeeze the tea bags don't use sugar before my family member passed i had to do 2 jugs one sweet and on not thanks for sharing take care 🍋🥤☕

[@susanschuck8124]

Love sweet tea. Make it the same but without mint.