Watermelon-Basil Sweet Tea

Name: Watermelon-Basil Sweet Tea
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 family-size or 6 regular tea bags; ¼ cup (10 g) loosely packed fresh basil leaves; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 5½ cups (1.3 L) water, divided; ¾ cup (180 ml) Watermelon Simple Syrup, plus more if needed; Basil sprigs, for garnish; Watermelon slices, for garnish

Preparation info

Serves
4

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
1 hr 40

Appears in

My Southern Kitchen

By Ivy Odom

Published 2025

About

Use my Watermelon Simple Syrup to make this delicious, summery twist on the Southern classic.

Ingredients

2 family-size or 6 regular tea bags
¼ cup (10 g)

Americas
United States
Drinks
Vegan
Gluten-free
Summer
South America

Method

Place tea bags, basil leaves, and baking soda in a large glass jar or pitcher.
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups (960 ml) of the water to a rolling boil over high heat; immediately pour over tea bags and basil, making sure bags and leaves are submerged. Steep for 15 minutes. Remove basil and bags, gently squeezing them using kitchen tongs; discard bags and bas