It wouldn't be a proper summer afternoon in the South without a porch relaxing session accompanied by a nice tall, icy glass of sweet tea. Of course, the only thing to make this southern staple a little better is by adding a little splash of something extra. You know what I mean. A little bit of bourbon or a splash of rum. Or how about a little shine? Now that's the right way to enjoy a hot summer day.
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Celebrating Southern culture at it's finest, we gathered up our favorite 11 spiked sweet tea recipes so you can embrace the Southerner in you with a little booze too. Grab some tea, a cup sugar, a mason glass, and mix up one of these thirst quenching drinks and enjoy the beautiful day.
1. Spiked Peach Sweet Tea
Sweet as a Georgia peach, this is the tea cocktail recipe for all those with a sweet tooth out there. Prepare some frozen sugar peaches and extract the juice. In a small saucepan, boil water then let black tea bags steep. Once that's ready, add some cold water, peach infused vodka, your fresh peach juice, and peach slices for garnish.
2. Spiked Raspberry Sweet Tea
Not too sweet, this big batch spiked sweet tea is sweetened just right. Using Luzianne family size tea bags, let the hot tea steep for about 15 minutes before dissolving baking soda and sugar. Top that with Chambord liqueur, some quality vodka, and serve in glasses filled with ice.
3. Strawberry Peach Sweet Tea Julep Pitcher
For those looking for a recipe to serve this Fourth of July or at a big summer bash, look no further because this is the recipe for you. Grab your favorite pitcher and muddle in mint with sugar. Then load in fresh strawberries, peach slices, peach juice, fresh lemon juice, green tea, and everyone's favorite booze, bourbon.
On a recipe note, you can use fresh or frozen peaches so no worries if your peaches haven't ripened yet. This can also be made ahead of time so the fruit has time to soak up all that booze.
4. Spiked Hibiscus Summer Tea
Another batch cocktail recipe perfect for a special occasion of entertaining is this fruity hibiscus spiked tea. Not your typical sweet tea, it calls for only a touch of sugar while fruit juice adds the perfect touch of sweetness. Loaded in flavor, fill a pitcher with brewed black tea, pomegranate juice, pineapple juice, fresh raspberries, gold raspberries, strawberries, mint leaves, lemon slices, lime slice, rum, and the very special ingredient, hibiscus liqueur. Gather all the glass you have, everyone is going to want a glass.
5. Sweet Tea Mojito
Sweet tea meets mojito cocktail in this recipe mashup. Prepare the sweet tea as you normally would with the addition of mint. Pour it into a pitcher, squeeze in some lime juice, add some cold water, a handful of fresh mint, vodka, and ice cubes. Give it a good stir and invite the neighbors. They'll be delighted to join you on the porch.
6. Texas Tea Cocktail
Spike your sweet tea the Texan way with this refreshing recipe. Rather than use sugar, this sweet tea is sweetened with Coke, a dash of triple sec, and a touch of sweet and sour mix. And for the spiking? We went hog wild and added tequila, rum, vodka, gin, and bourbon. Put a comfy blanket in the rocker, this combined with the sun calls for naptime.
7. Fireball Orange Sweet Tea
Okay all you Fireball fans out there, here's one for you. In a glass, mason jar, or drinking cup of choice combine sweet tea, Fireball whiskey, and freshly squeezed orange juice. If you're feeling real lazy this afternoon, use store-bought orange juice. It's really all about relaxing with an ice cold boozy sweet tea in hand.
8. Spiked Mango Passionfruit Sweet Tea
Any honey whiskey fans in the crowd? If so you are going to be ecstatic about spiking your sweet tea with it using this fruity recipe. With a little help from some Trader Joe's mango passion fruit juice you can whip this drink up in a snap and get back to rocking on the front porch.
9. Spiked Peach Arnold Palmer Cocktail
This recipe has the ultimate refreshing Southern duo in one glass, lemonade and sweet tea. To prepare it just right, make your own fresh peach puree. Combine that with fresh lemonade, rum, vodka, peach schnapps, and then top with sweet iced tea and a lemon wedge garnish. Now that's how you do a good Southern sweet tea cocktail.
10. Sweet Tea Sangria
Porch drinking, barbecues, parties, you name it and this Southern inspired cocktail is made for it. Pour sweet tea, moscato, lemon slices, and fruit of choice into one pitcher and stir it all up. One sip and you'll agree these two were meant to get together.
11. Spiked Lemon Berry Sweet Tea
Have a berry-licious summer with this spiked sweet tea. Prepare your sweet tea as you like then stir in lemon juice, rum, and a handful of juicy blueberries. Top it off with a fresh basil garnish.
Bartender's Note: While blueberries are used, you can use any berry you like.
Do you have a favorite spiked sweet tea? Let us know all about it in the comments below.
