Healthy Sweet Tea Recipe: How to Make a Delicious and Nutritious Drink

Sweet tea is a beloved beverage in the southern United States, where it is often made with copious amounts of sugar. While it may be delicious, traditional sweet tea is not the healthiest drink choice due to its high sugar content. However, you can still enjoy the sweet, refreshing taste of sweet tea by making a healthier version at home. In this article, we will share with you a healthy sweet tea recipe that is both delicious and nutritious.

Ingredients:

 6 tea bags (black tea or green tea)

 8 cups water

 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

 Ice cubes

 Lemon wedges (optional)

Directions:

Boil 8 cups of water in a large pot or kettle. Once the water has come to a boil, remove it from the heat and add 6 tea bags. Let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired strength.

While the tea is steeping, prepare the sweetener. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup over medium heat until it becomes thin and runny. Remove from heat and set aside.

After the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and stir in the sweetener until it has dissolved.

Add 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the tea and stir well.

Let the tea cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until chilled.

When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled sweet tea over the ice. Garnish with lemon wedges, if desired.

Why This Recipe Is Healthier Than Traditional Sweet Tea

This healthy sweet tea recipe is a much better choice than traditional sweet tea for several reasons.

First, it uses natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of refined sugar. Honey and maple syrup are lower on the glycemic index than sugar, which means they have a lower impact on blood sugar levels. They also contain antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients that sugar does not.

Second, this recipe includes freshly squeezed lemon juice, which adds a bright, tangy flavor and also provides health benefits. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, which supports immune health and may help reduce inflammation in the body. They also contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that may help protect against certain diseases.

Finally, this recipe is lower in calories than traditional sweet tea. A typical glass of sweet tea can contain 150-200 calories or more, depending on how much sugar is used. In contrast, this recipe uses natural sweeteners and no additional calories are added from other ingredients.

In conclusion, this healthy sweet tea recipe is a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional sweet tea. By using natural sweeteners and adding lemon juice, this recipe provides a refreshing drink that is lower in calories and higher in beneficial nutrients. Give it a try and see how easy it is to make a healthier version of this southern classic!