Sweet Tea - Serving

Serving

Many restaurants have dispensers that dispense hot or warm sweet tea, and customers pour it over a full cup of ice to make iced tea. This especially sweet variation of tea enjoys most of its popularity in the Southern United States, though bottled iced teas labeled "Southern Style" or "Extra-sweet Southern Style" appear in refrigerated cases throughout the country. One variation on sweet tea is known as sun tea, which is brewed by leaving loose tea or tea bags in water in a jar or pitcher placed in a sunny area for several hours.

Most restaurants in the region, including fast-food and other national chains, offer a customer the choice of sweet tea or plain iced tea (usually referred to as "sweet tea" and "unsweet tea", respectively). It is a signature drink of the region to the point where the Southern use of the word "tea" is largely used to refer specifically to cold sweet tea and not to hot or plain varieties. In non-Southern States, many restaurants do not offer sweet tea as defined above. Typically, these establishments offer flavored teas along with plain tea. McAlister's Deli is a national restaurant chain often associated with their signature Famous Sweet Tea™ and offers an annual Free Tea Day in 300-plus restaurant locations to celebrate the iconic beverage.