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Southern Citrus Almond Sweet Tea
Cool, citrusy, and kissed with almond, this Southern sweet tea is a breeze to make and perfect for showers, porch swings, or any warm-weather gathering.
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Servings: 12
Calories: 125kcal
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 16 cups cold water divided
- 4 family-sized tea bags
- 1½ cups sugar (or 2 cups) adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon almond extract
- 3 lemons juiced
- 2 oranges juiced
- 1 lemon sliced (for garnish)
- 1 orange sliced (for garnish)
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Brew the Tea
- In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil.
- Add the tea bags, cover, and remove from heat.
- Let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags, gently squeeze out excess liquid, then discard them.
Sweeten and Flavor
- Pour the brewed tea into a 1-gallon pitcher.
- Stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm until fully dissolved.
- Add the almond extract, lemon juice, and orange juice. Stir well to combine.
Finish and Chill
- Add the remaining 12 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir again to mix.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Add sliced lemon and orange to the pitcher for extra flavor and visual appeal.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully chilled, about 1–2 hours.
Serve
- Pour the iced tea over ice-filled glasses.
- Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint.
- Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions:
- Sugar: Substitute with honey, agave syrup, or a sugar-free sweetener like stevia (adjust quantity to taste).
- Almond Extract: Use vanilla extract or coconut extract for a different twist.
- Citrus Juice: Bottled lemon or orange juice can be used in place of fresh, though fresh offers brighter flavor.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a sealed pitcher or jar.
- Stir before serving, as ingredients may settle.
- Freeze leftover tea in ice cube trays to chill future drinks without diluting flavor.
- You can also freeze larger portions in airtight containers—just leave room for expansion. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 glass | Calories: 125kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 82IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.3mg
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.