Sweet tea has long been an inseparable part of Southern culture. Initially a luxury in the 19th century, the drink eventually became a staple, embodying Southern hospitality and refreshment. And what better way to enhance that hospitality than by adding a shot or two of your favorite hooch? So, go ahead and spice up your next picnic with a hefty pour of Spiked Sweet Tea.

Spiked Sweet Tea Recipe

The Spiked Sweet Tea is a spirited cocktail that perfectly captures the essence of Southern hospitality. This refreshing pour pays homage to the southern tradition of sweet tea with a spirited twist to elevate your party experience.

Ingredients (party size)

Gather the following ingredients to make a pitcher of Spiked Sweet Tea:

• 12 tea bags of black tea, such as Liptons
• 1 cup of granulated sugar (if you like it sweet, add another ½ cup of sugar)
• A bottle of Kentucky bourbon for an authentic Derby touch (can substitute with vodka or Southern Comfort, depending on your mood)
• Mint leaves/springs
• Lemon slices for garnishing
• Ice

Steps

1. For the Sweet Tea, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and let the tea bags steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t steep too long or the drink will taste bitter.
3. Add the cup of sugar and stir until dissolved.
4. Add 12 cups of water. Allow it to cool.
5. Depending on your boozy preference, start with 2 cups of bourbon… or just throw the whole bottle in, which is just over 3 cups for a 750ml bottle. A serious boozy version would be 4 cups. Obviously, this will get the party going but you might not remember it.
6. Finally, pour the Spiked Sweet Tea in an ice filled glass and garnish your drink with lemon slices and mint.

Tasty Variation

Gather the following ingredients to make your own single-serving Spiked Sweet Tea:

• 10 mint leaves and some sprigs
• 1 ½ ounces of sweet tea
• ½ ounce of lime juice (fresh is preferred)
• 1 ½ ounces of vodka (or Kentucky bourbon for an authentic Southern touch)
• 3 ounces of club soda
• Lime wedges for garnishing
• Ice

Method #2

This is a single serve variation made with vodka:

1. Start by muddling the mint leaves and sweet tea together in a shaker. Allow enough time for the mint’s refreshing aroma to infuse the sweet tea.
2. Add the vodka and lime juice to the shaker, fill it with ice, and shake vigorously until the mixture becomes frosty, thoroughly blending the flavors.
3. Strain the concoction into your preferred glass, already filled with ice so the vibrant colors and enticing aromas take center stage.
4. Add the club soda to the glass and gently stir all the ingredients to blend all the flavors.
5. Finally, garnish your Spiked Sweet Tea with lime wedges, adding a touch of visual appeal and a hint of citrus aroma to enhance the flavor profile.

Sweet Tea History: A Southern Staple

Nothing encapsulates the essence of Southern hospitality quite like a refreshing glass of sweet tea. This beloved beverage, a fixture at gatherings in the American South, is as rich in history as it is in sugar. While it’s tough to differentiate the history from the tall-tales, here’s some of the drink’s documented history and cherished folklore.

French Botanist and South Carolina Tea

In the late 1700s, French botanist Andre Michaux introduced tea plants to the United States, planting them at what is now Middleton Place Gardens near Charleston, South Carolina. His aim was to charm wealthy plantation owners with a local source of tea. Though commercial tea production in the U.S. was minimal, South Carolina’s early experiments marked the beginning of America’s flirtation with tea cultivation.

From Regal Punches to Sweet Refreshment

Before iced tea became a cultural icon, early American and English cookbooks from the 1800s featured recipes for chilled tea punches. These concoctions, often spiked with alcohol, were the precursors to the non-alcoholic sweet tea we enjoy today. The British particularly loved these punches, naming one popular blend “Regent’s Punch,” a nod to the Prince Regent, known for his vibrant social life. This early version of the tea punch lays the groundwork for the sweet tea evolution, illustrating the beverage’s high-society origins.

Marion Cabell Tyree’s Pioneering Recipe

The transformation from an alcoholic punch to a family-friendly refreshment began with a recipe by Marion Cabell Tyree, published in the 1879 cookbook “Housekeeping in Old Virginia”. Tyree’s recipe called for green tea, illustrating the initial preference before black tea became predominant. Her method of preparing the tea in advance, sweetening it with granulated sugar, and serving it over ice laid the foundation for modern sweet tea.

Sweet Tea Takes the Stage at the 1904 World’s Fair

The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair is often celebrated as a pivotal moment for sweet tea’s popularity. According to popular tales—possibly more myth than fact—an Englishman named Richard Blechynden served chilled sweet tea to fairgoers, adapting to the sweltering summer heat by running hot tea through iced lead pipes. This story, while likely embellished, captures the imagination and highlights how sweet tea started to quench the thirst of a nation.

Prohibition and the Rise of Sweet Tea

During Prohibition (1920-1933), with alcoholic beverages banned, Americans turned to alternatives like sweet tea. This era significantly bolstered the drink’s popularity, particularly in the South, where it became a staple at gatherings, solidifying its place in Southern culture.

Sweet Tea Today: A Symbol of Southern Identity

Over the decades, sweet tea has grown from a refined refreshment to a ubiquitous symbol of Southern identity. It was even declared the “Official Hospitality Beverage” of South Carolina in 1995. Today, sweet tea is not just a drink but a cultural emblem, served in homes and restaurants across the South, and enjoyed for its sweet, comforting simplicity. It’s more than just a beverage; it’s a rich tapestry of history, culture, and community. Each sip is a nod to the past, from the botanical endeavors of a French botanist to the innovative spirit of the 1904 World’s Fair. As we enjoy our sweet tea, we’re not just quenching our thirst—we’re celebrating a storied tradition that continues to brew strong. And maybe spiking it with a few ounces of booze, here and there to get the party going.