The East Tennessee sweet-tea tradition: black tea brewed strong and sweetened with a syrup of dissolved sugar while still hot, served over ice with a lemon.

Sweet tea is the Southern standard non-alcoholic table drink, served at every East Tennessee diner counter and meat-and-three room. Pete's Coffee Shop on Union pours it from a 2-gallon dispenser into Mason jars; Buddy's Bar-B-Q runs a similar service. The sweet tea here is sweeter than Nashville or Memphis versions.

Where to eat Sweet Tea in Knoxville

3 editor picks for Sweet Tea in Knoxville, ranked by editorial score. All Knoxville signature dishes · Sweet Tea across every city.

Book food experiences in Knoxville

See all 37 food experiences in Knoxville

Make it at home

Serves 230 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 8 black tea bags (Luzianne or Tetley)
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 8 cups cold water
  • Pinch of baking soda
  • Lemon wedges and ice for serving

Method

  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.
  2. Remove from heat and add the tea bags and a pinch of baking soda.
  3. Steep covered for 15 minutes.
  4. Remove the tea bags without squeezing them.
  5. While the tea is still warm, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved.
  6. Pour the sweetened tea into a pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water.
  7. Refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice with lemon wedges.

Editor tip. The pinch of baking soda is the East Tennessee secret. It softens the tannins and keeps the sweet tea from going cloudy.