Southern Iced Tea Recipes for Slow Summer Days (5 Fresh Fruit & Herb Variations)
Updated: Jul 18
Easy homemade iced tea recipes using fresh fruit, herbs, and simple ingredients for the perfect Southern summer.
Recipe #24 of My 100 Recipe Project
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There’s something about moving to Tennessee that makes you want to learn how to properly make iced tea.
Before we moved South, iced tea was something I made occasionally in the summer — simple black tea brewed on the stove and poured over ice.
But after our first spring and summer in Franklin, I started noticing how much iced tea is woven into everyday life here.
Porch evenings. Backyard dinners. Baseball games. It feels less like a drink and more like part of the rhythm of summer.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting with homemade Southern-style iced tea variations using what we already have growing in the backyard or sitting on the kitchen counter: fresh mint, lemons, limes, strawberries, peaches, and even fresh stevia leaves.
These are the easy combinations we keep making over and over again this summer.
Why You'll Love These Southern Iced Tea Recipes
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Easy to customize with seasonal fruit
Naturally beautiful for entertaining
Perfect for porch evenings and backyard dinners
Less sweet than store-bought versions
A wonderful way to use fresh herbs from the garden
Easy to make ahead
Which Tea Is Best for Southern Iced Tea?
While any quality black tea works well, Lipton and Luzianne are two classic choices for homemade Southern iced tea. Lipton has a smooth, familiar flavor that many families grew up with, while Luzianne is specifically blended for iced tea and is especially popular throughout the South. Either one creates a refreshing pitcher that's perfect for serving over ice with fresh peaches, lemons, or mint.
The Recipe
From My Kitchen
I get asked about the serving pieces and kitchen tools I use in my recipes. These are the ones I reached for while making this Southern Iced Tea—and the tools I use again and again in my kitchen.
Glass Tea Pitcher
A sturdy glass pitcher is one of my favorite kitchen essentials during the warmer months. I use it for Southern sweet tea, fresh lemonade, infused water, and homemade iced coffee all summer long.
Acacia Wood Serving Tray
Whether I'm carrying drinks to the porch or setting the table for friends, a simple wooden serving tray is one of those pieces I use constantly. It makes serving feel effortless and beautiful.
Linen Kitchen Towels
A soft linen towel is always within reach in my kitchen. I love using one while brewing tea or setting the table, and it somehow makes every day routines feel a little more intentional.
Tall Drinking Glasses
Simple, timeless drinking glasses are one of the hardest-working pieces in my kitchen. They're perfect for iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water, or whatever we're sipping on the porch.
High-Quality Black Tea
Great iced tea starts with great tea. I keep quality black tea stocked in my pantry year-round because it's the foundation of every pitcher I make.
🌿 Create the Moment
Pour the tea over plenty of ice, add fresh lemon slices if you like, and carry the pitcher out to the porch. A few rocking chairs, a warm evening breeze, and an unhurried conversation are really all you need.
Franklin Kitchen Tips
Remove the tea bags after about 5–8 minutes to prevent bitterness.
Sweeten while the tea is still warm.
Fresh herbs always taste best added just before serving.
Freeze peaches or strawberries to use instead of ice cubes.
A tiny pinch of baking soda helps smooth stronger black teas.
Around Our Table
These southern iced tea recipes mark the beginning of summer in our house.
You'll usually find a pitcher waiting in the refrigerator while dinner is cooking, especially on nights when we're eating outside.
Sometimes it's peach. Sometimes it's mint. Sometimes it's simply black tea with a squeeze of lemon.
But somehow, pouring a glass before sitting on the porch makes the evening feel just a little slower.
Those are the kinds of recipes I hope fill this kitchen.
One combination we keep coming back to: black tea + peach + mint + fresh lime.
Simple, fresh, and exactly the kind of slow summer drink I imagined making when we moved to Franklin.
If you try one of these variations, let me know which one becomes your favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tea for Southern iced tea?
Classic black tea is traditional. Lipton and Luzianne are both excellent choices.
How long should I steep black tea?
Five to eight minutes gives a smooth flavor without becoming bitter.
Can I naturally sweeten iced tea?
Yes. Fresh stevia leaves, honey, maple syrup, or cane sugar all work beautifully.
How long does homemade iced tea last?
Stored in the refrigerator, it's best enjoyed within 3–4 days.
What to Serve with Southern Iced Tea
Southern iced tea pairs beautifully with many summer favorites from My Franklin Kitchen:
Save For Later
Love this recipe? Hover over the image and save it to Pinterest so you can find it again later.
A pitcher of homemade tea is one of the simplest ways to make an ordinary evening feel a little more special.
I'm slowly building The 100 Recipe Project here at My Franklin Kitchen, adding recipes that our family actually makes and returns to throughout the seasons. I hope you'll find a few new favorites for your table, too.
Made in my Franklin kitchen as part of The 100 Recipe Project.
— Alexis
My Franklin Kitchen
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