Southern Sweet Tea Sugar Free Keto Sweet Tea Recipe

I absolutely love this iced tea recipe because it’s the perfect blend of refreshing and guilt-free, tailor-made for my keto lifestyle. Plus, the hint of baking soda is a game-changer, smoothing out any bitterness and letting those minty, lemony vibes shine through for the ultimate sip-worthy experience.

As a sweet tea aficionado, I adore this keto-compliant version that fulfills a “coming eventually” on the Teas of the South that I’m currently working through. Using 8 cups of filtered water and 4 bags of black tea, combined with 3/4 cup of erythritol, this is one “refreshing treat” that actually is refreshing and makes me want a second glass (which I am about to have).

Oh, and optional lemon slices add a citrusy touch. And I think we all know how well citrus and tea go together.

Ingredients

Filtered Water:
Zero-calorie, zero-sugar hydration, completely essential for a clean taste.

Black Tea Bags:
Stuff that’s good for you: Antioxidants, check.

Heart-healthy, check.

Robust, classic flavor, check.

Stuff that’s good for you and tastes good—a winning combination.

Baking Soda:
Balances taste by smoothing acidity of tea and enhancing flavor.

Erythritol:
A sweetener that is friendly to the keto diet has zero calories and is a stand-in for sugar’s sweetness.

Lemon Slices:
Imparts a bracing, bright tang and a jolt of vitamin C.

Fresh Mint Leaves:
Delivers refreshing, energizing taste and helps with digestion.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 cups of filtered water
• 4 bags of black tea (e.g., Lipton, Luzianne)
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3/4 cup of erythritol or other keto-friendly sweetener
• Ice cubes, for serving
• Lemon slices, optional for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves, optional for garnish

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, boil 2 cups of filtered water.

2. Take the saucepan off the heat and put 4 black tea bags into the hot water.

3. Allow the tea bags to steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea.

4. Discard the tea bags. Remove them from the infuser and the teapot, making sure to do it gently, because infuser and teapot tend to be hot, but also because you want to avoid excessive squeezing and make sure not to squeeze out any excessively steeped tea, which can happen if you don’t pay attention to that.

5. Slowly add in 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda, making sure to dissolve it completely. This will neutralize any potential bitterness.

6. In a big pitcher, mix with steeped tea 6 extra cups of filtered water.

7. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then add your sweetener, and whisk until well combined.

8. Cool the tea in the fridge for at least one hour, or until chilled.

9. Pour the iced tea into high glasses and serve.

10. If you wish, garnish with fresh mint leaves and slices of lemon.

Equipment Needed

1. Medium saucepan
2. Pitcher
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Whisk
5. Measuring cups
6. Measuring spoons
7. Teaspoon
8. Refrigerator
9. Knife (for lemon slices)
10. Cutting board (for preparing lemon and mint)
11. Highball glasses (for serving)
12. Optional: Tea infuser (if using loose tea)

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of tea?While black tea is what tradition dictates for Southern sweet tea, you can use green or herbal teas if you want to suit your own experimental tastes.
• What is the purpose of the baking soda?The tannins in tea are neutralized by baking soda, which results in a less bitter and more fluid beverage.
• Can I substitute erythritol with another sweetener?Of course, any sweetener that’s friendly to keto can be used in this recipe. Great options are stevia and monk fruit. Just adjust these to your taste level.
• How long do I steep the tea bags?In general, steep the tea bags for approximately 5-7 minutes to get the best taste, but don’t steep them for too long. If you do, you’ll get bitterness instead of optimal flavor.
• Is it necessary to use filtered water?You can improve the flavor of your coffee by using purified water to eliminate minuscule contaminants that might affect the taste; however, if you don’t have access to such water, you can still make enjoyable coffee.
• Can I make this tea in advance?Certainly! You can prepare a batch of this and chill it in the fridge for 3-4 days max. So, if you want to make it ahead of time, that’s a perfect option for serving it ice-cold.
• How do I serve the sweet tea?Pour over ice cubes for a cool, revitalizing drink, and if you’d like an even fresher flavor, garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint.

Substitutions and Variations

Tea bags, black: Use bags of green tea or herbal tea for a diverse flavor profile.
Baking soda: Substitute with a tiny amount of salt to help soften the tannins in the tea. Again, this is not necessary.
Erythritol: Use stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or allulose, to keep this keto-friendly.
Lemon slices: Use lime slices or orange slices for an alternative citrus touch.
Fresh mint leaves: For a unique, herbaceous twist, substitute fresh basil leaves.

Pro Tips

1. Steeping Time Experiment with the steeping time for the tea bags to find your ideal tea strength. If you prefer a milder flavor, aim for closer to 5 minutes; for a stronger taste, let them steep for up to 10 minutes.

2. Baking Soda Tip Make sure to add the baking soda slowly and mix thoroughly. This addition helps to smooth out any bitterness from the tea, resulting in a cleaner, fresher taste.

3. Chill Thoroughly For the best flavor, make sure the tea is thoroughly chilled before serving. If you are short on time, consider using an ice bath to cool it down more quickly before placing it in the fridge.

4. Sweetening When sweetening the tea, taste it as you go to adjust sweetness according to your preference. Erythritol can have a slightly cooling taste, so balance it with a touch of vanilla extract if you like a bit more complexity.

5. Serving Suggestions For a refreshing twist, add a splash of sparkling water before serving. Also, consider using flavored ice cubes (such as lemon or mint) to enhance the flavor profile without diluting the drink.