Can you believe it’s May already?! I have no idea where the month of April went. It feels like just yesterday I was celebrating my birthday. Time flies.

Anyhoo, I got inspired by this post on Dessert for Two last week and knew I needed to share it with you. After all, you’re not really from the South if you don’t love an ice cold glass of sweet tea.

Only downside is, traditional sweet tea comes with a hefty amount of calories. My girl Paula Deen said sweet tea was one of the hardest things for her to give up after finding out about her diabetes. But, she’s lost 20-30 pounds and looks fabulous.

What if you still want your sweet tea though? Don’t worry, I made a delicious light version to share with you. And even better, it’s made in mason jars which makes it super easy for storing in your fridge. No need to make room for a ginormous pitcher in the fridge.

Start with two large mason jars with 2 iced tea bags. Add in 5 packs of Splenda to each jar. Add more if you like it super sweet.

Divide a kettle of boiling water between each jar.

Squeeze in 2 wedges of lemon to each jar and seal. Allow to sit in the sun (or overcast sun if your weather has been likes ours) all day to steep.

This was perfect. Not too sweet but just right. I know this isn’t exactly rocket science here folks but this certainly is a nice way to cut out a couple hundred calories.

The key to the perfect sweet tea though is already having the sugar or sweetener in the container before you add water. That way the sweetener dissolves as you add the hot water. Adding in sweetener afterward (ie ordering unsweet tea and adding Splenda) doesn’t get the same effect.

Oh, and it has to be served with lemon. Lots of lemon. Although, I did like Christina’s idea of using peach nectar.

Lightened-Up Southern Sweet Tea
Adapted from Dessert for Two

  • 4 Lipton Iced Tea bags
  • 10 Splenda packets
  • 1 kettle boiling water, 2 quarts
  • 4 lemon wedges, plus additional for garnish

Place 2 tea bags in 2 quart-sized mason jars. Add in 5 packets of Splenda to each jar.

Fill each jar with boiling water.

Squeeze two lemon wedges into each jar and seal. Allow to sit in the sun and steep for 8-10 hours.

Serve over ice.

Now I just need one of these so I can just grab a jar and go. Maybe I should just go ahead and order them…