Vanilla Sweet Tea

Name: Vanilla Sweet Tea
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 c. sugar; 1 tbsp. vanilla bean paste; 6 rooibos tea bags; Milk or half-and-half, for serving

It's creamy, dreamy, and totally refreshing.

By Ree DrummondPublished: Jun 25, 2025

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Alison Gootee

Yields:

8 serving(s)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 15 mins

As much as I adore my trusty iced coffee all year long, there's something about steamy summer days that just begs for a tall, frosty glass of classic Southern sweet tea. It’s like a hug from your favorite aunt—comforting, sweet, and oh-so-refreshing. But I couldn’t stop at basic! This version takes that beloved Southern staple and gives it a little extra love: think a kiss of vanilla from homemade simple syrup and a luscious splash of half-and-half to round it all out. Watching the cream swirl into the amber tea is almost as satisfying as taking a big sip.

If you're looking for more refreshers to cool off with this summer, try perfect iced coffee, watermelon sweet tea, or an adults-only orange crush cocktail.

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Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla bean paste
6 rooibos tea bags
Milk or half-and-half, for serving

Directions

1. Step 1For the vanilla simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Whisk in the vanilla bean paste.
2. Step 2Put the tea bags in a large heatproof pitcher. Add 4 cups boiling water and steep 6 minutes. Remove the tea bags without squeezing. Whisk in the vanilla simple syrup and 3 cups cold water. Refrigerate until cool, about 2 hours. Serve over ice with milk or half-and-half.