Southern Spiced Tea
A fragrant Southern spiced tea bursting with citrus, cloves, and a sweet syrup—perfect for a summer party or a cozy chill, served hot or iced.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Boil 8 cups of water and steep 5 tablespoons of tea leaves for 5 minutes.
- While the tea steeps, combine 2 cups of sugar with 8 cups of water to make a syrup.
- Add 1 teaspoon of whole cloves to the syrup and simmer until fragrant.
- Strain the tea and remove the leaves.
- Stir in the syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and orange juice.
- Serve the tea hot or chill and serve as iced tea.
- Enjoy this aromatic beverage in 18 cups.
Tips & Substitutions
For a stronger flavor, steep the tea leaves for a few extra minutes, but be careful not to make it too bitter. You can substitute white sugar with brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor in the syrup. If you prefer a caffeine-free version, use herbal tea leaves instead. Adding a pinch of cinnamon can also enhance the spiced flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This Southern Spiced Tea is delightful served hot, especially during cold months. For a refreshing twist, chill it and serve over ice during warmer months. It pairs beautifully with Karen'S Bread Dip or Sandy'S Salad for a light meal or snack. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or citrus slices for an added touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the tea on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If serving iced, simply pour over ice and garnish with citrus slices for a refreshing drink.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Southern Spiced Tea contains roughly 282 calories, with 6g protein, 70g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (70% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (49% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (49% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. It also contributes 14g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use tea bags instead of loose tea leaves?
Yes, you can use tea bags instead of loose leaves. Generally, 1 tea bag is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of loose tea leaves, so use about 5-7 tea bags for this recipe. Just ensure to steep them for the same amount of time.
How can I make this tea less sweet?
To reduce the sweetness, simply decrease the amount of sugar used in the syrup. Start with 1 cup of sugar and taste as you go, adding more if needed. You can also balance the sweetness with extra lemon or orange juice for a more tart flavor.
Is this tea suitable for a vegan diet?
Absolutely! This Southern Spiced Tea is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just ensure that any sugar used is vegan-friendly, as some sugars are processed with bone char. Enjoy it with your favorite vegan snacks!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).