Tea
Sweet tea is one of the most belove beverages in the South and its popularity is no surprise. Sweet tea is a delicious, refreshing and easy to make. But how did this sweet and refreshing drink become so popular? First let’s answer some popular questions about sweet tea.
What is Sweet Tea?
Sweet tea is a sweetened, cold version of black tea, not a specific type of tea leaf. The defining characteristics of sweet tea are its strong, black tea base, liberal amount of cane sugar, and the fact that it’s typically served cold over ice.
What is the difference between Sweet Tea and Iced Tea?
Sweet tea isn’t just iced tea with sugar added — it’s a tradition. The sugar is blended into the tea during the brewing process, so the sweetness is infused and balanced in every sip. That’s why Southern sweet tea has its signature smooth, refreshing taste.
By contrast, “iced tea” is a broader category. It usually refers to tea that’s been brewed, chilled, and served over ice — most often unsweetened, with sugar or lemon added later at the drinker’s discretion.
Now let’s take a look at the history of sweet tea.
The history of sweet tea can be traced all the way back to Asia. Tea has been consumed in Asia for centuries, and it was originally served sweetened with honey or sugar. The drink originated in China and for centuries it was only enjoyed by the wealthy and elite. Over time, tea became more popular, and eventually it became an integral part of Asian culture. Today, tea is enjoyed all over Asia, and it remains one of the most popular drinks in the region. Over time, sweet tea became a popular beverage throughout the region, and eventually made its way to the United States. Today, sweet tea is a beloved Southern classic that is enjoyed by people all over the world.
The history of sweet tea dates back to the early 1800s, when sugar was first added to tea in America by a woman named Marion Cabell Tyree. Tyree was a housewife and socialite from Charleston, South Carolina who is said to have created sweet tea in the late 1800s. Her recipe was published in a cookbook called Housekeeping in Old Virgina in 1879. At the time, sweet tea was a new and unusual drink, but Tyree’s recipe quickly became popular among locals. In the early 1900s, sweet tea really began to take off in the South. This was due in part to the introduction of iced tea, which made sweet tea even more refreshing and enjoyable. As word of this delicious new drink spread, more and more people began to make their own sweet tea. It soon became a staple of Southern culture, enjoyed by both rich and poor alike.
First Bottled Sweet Tea (RTD Iced Tea)
- 1940s – Restaurant Roots: One of the earliest known examples of commercial sweet tea came in the mid-1940s, when Milo Carlton began serving pre-sweetened iced tea at his Birmingham, Alabama hamburger restaurant. This innovation — later branded as Milo’s Famous Sweet Tea — is often credited as the starting point for retail sweet tea in the Southeast.
- 1990s – First Bottled Brands: The Sweet Leaf Tea Company, founded in 1998 in Texas, was among the first to launch a dedicated ready-to-drink bottled sweet tea brand for retail shelves. Its success led to a later acquisition by Nestlé, signaling major beverage companies’ recognition of sweet tea’s market potential.
- Late 1990s–2000s – National Expansion: As the RTD tea category grew, national brands like Snapple, AriZona, and Lipton added bottled sweet tea to their lineups, making the Southern classic widely available across the U.S. and firmly establishing sweet tea as a staple in mainstream beverage aisles.
Today, sweet tea is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has become one of the most popular drinks in America, and its popularity is only growing. So next time you’re looking for a refreshing drink, be sure to try a glass of sweet tea! You just might find yourself hooked.
With its delicious flavor and refreshingly sweet taste, it’s no wonder that sweet tea has become a worldwide phenomenon. If you haven’t tried it yet, what are you waiting for? Pick up a glass and enjoy the unique flavor of this Southern classic!
