8 Drinks Featuring Sweet Tea You Should Be Ordering

Sweet tea isn't just a Southern staple — it's a surprisingly versatile ingredient that plays well with bold spirits, fresh fruit, bright citrus, and fizzy finishes. Whether you're chasing a cocktail with character or a mocktail that feels like a moment, these drinks highlight just how much range sweet tea really has and why you should order them the next time you're out. From classics like an Arnold Palmer to herb-infused sippers and sunny, spiked creations, there's something here for every palate and pour.

Serve them over ice, dress them up with garnishes, or keep it simple — each drink brings its own vibe and the easygoing charm sweet tea is known for. No need for fancy ingredients or hard-to-follow recipes. These are drinks you can picture holding in a mason jar or cocktail glass, with the perfect finishing touches and your favorite people. They pair beautifully with summer foods, lazy afternoons, and front porch hangs — or bring a taste of summer to any season.

Sweet tea with an edge — that's the unmistakable charm of a John Daly, named after the legendary golfer. This refreshing cocktail blends sweet tea, lemonade, and vodka. It's a drink that doesn't need any frills to stand out. The flavor leans earthy and mellow thanks to its sweet tea base and is balanced by the bright, citrusy zip of lemonade. Vodka cuts through cleanly, giving it a dry finish that lingers just long enough to make you crave the next sip. Served over ice, a John Daly gleams with a golden hue that hints at sunshine in a glass. It's often garnished with a lemon — simple, classic, and effortlessly cool. As a bonus, it's a no-brainer choice for anyone who doesn't want syrupy sweetness in a classic cocktail.

A John Daly is an easy pick for patio afternoons, golf carts, or anywhere sandals are involved. For golf fans, it's a popular Masters Tournament cocktail. It pairs effortlessly with grilled food, live music, and the decision to stay out a little longer.

Before John Daly added vodka to the mix, there was Arnold Palmer — part lemonade, part iced tea, and all refreshment. Named after the famous golfer who made the drink his signature, this nonalcoholic classic is timeless. You can trace the Arnold Palmer's wholesome origin story back to a simple off-menu request.

The beauty of an Arnold Palmer lies in its simplicity. Black tea brings depth, while lemonade cuts through with citrusy brightness. The result is a not-too-sweet, not-too-tart beverage that feels like a summer afternoon no matter when you're sipping it. It's often garnished with a lemon wedge, so it's as familiar as it is refined. No need for syrups or embellishments — just two kitchen staples coming together with remarkable chemistry.

An Arnold Palmer is the go-to for anyone seeking something nonalcoholic that doesn't feel like an afterthought. It pairs effortlessly with porch swings, backyard lunches, and a good book in the sun. And while the John Daly may be the louder sibling, the Arnold Palmer proves that you don't need spirits to have presence.

This cocktail bridges Southern charm and island vibes in one amber-hued glass. Pineapple Bourbon Iced Tea is where smoky meets sunny for a bold and laid-back feel. The drink blends sweet tea, honey, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of bourbon. Black tea adds depth and structure, grounding the drink with a gentle tannic edge. Pineapple and lemon juice bring brightness, while bourbon rounds it out with warm notes of vanilla, caramel, and spice. A touch of sweetness ties it all together, making it easy to sip and surprisingly nuanced.

It's typically served over ice in a tall glass and plays well with a variety of garnishes — a lemon wheel for zing, a pineapple wedge for flair, or even a sprig of mint if you're feeling extra. Or upgrade your cocktail by firing up the grill — a seared pineapple brings both sweet and savory flavors to the party. No matter how your drink is dressed, the vibe is golden-hour glow. It pairs beautifully with pulled pork sliders, grilled shrimp, or charred corn — anything smoky, spicy, or kissed by fire.

The Sweet Tea Mule reimagines the classic Moscow Mule through a more laid-back lens, with Southern charm and a spiced kick. It swaps out the cocktail's usual sharp edges for something smoother and sunnier, combining bold ginger beer, zesty lime juice, and the mellow comfort of sweet tea. A splash of vodka adds bite, but you can just as easily leave it out for a spirit-free version that still sips like a treat. Speaking of treats, reach for ginger ale instead of ginger beer for a sweeter Mule.

The result is equal parts refreshing and invigorating: citrus-forward, lightly fizzy, and layered with warmth. The mint garnish and lime bring fresh contrast, and the tea keeps things grounded. Mules are typically served in a copper mug, but the drink itself doesn't stand on ceremony. Whether you're sipping on a porch swing or passing drinks around at a cookout, the Sweet Tea Mule is ready for the moment. It pairs well with fried snacks, salty bites, or anything with a citrus glaze.

Citrus Mint Iced Tea is a bright and breezy nonalcoholic option that doesn't play second string. Built on a base of sweet tea, this drink layers in fresh citrus juice and cooling mint for when you want something both energizing and grounding. 

Orange and lemon juice bring zesty notes without tipping into sour, while mint adds a cooling herbal note that keeps each sip crisp. The sweet tea ties it all together with just enough mellow richness to balance the fruitiness. Add a touch of honey to make things a little sweeter, though this one doesn't need much dressing up.

Garnish your drink with a citrus wheel or a sprig of mint. It's ideal for lunch on the patio, baby showers, picnic tables — anywhere you want a drink that sparkles without bubbles. For those skipping the buzz or simply pacing themselves, it's a drink with intention and flavor. Prefer a little fizz? Try adding a splash of club soda or seltzer for a bubbly take on this sweet tea drink.

Sparkling Sweet Tea brings a fizzy twist to the Southern staple — adding bubbles, brightness, and a little extra lift to something already familiar. Just combine sweet tea with club soda or sparkling water, then finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon for a drink that's crisp, clean, and endlessly sippable.

The result is light and refreshing. The sweetness of tea is balanced by citrus and softened with effervescence. It's less sugary than soda, more flavorful than seltzer, and easy to personalize. Add frozen berries, a fresh herb sprig, or even a flavored sparkling water — this one plays well with creativity.

It's an ideal pick for hot afternoons, breezy porch hangs, or whenever you want a nonalcoholic option that feels sunny and thoughtful. For more ideas on how to incorporate sweet tea into your booze-free beverages, check out Chowhound's tips for crafting drinks with body and balance using this underrated mocktail base.

A classic margarita may bring the fiesta, but an Iced Tea Margarita brings Southern comfort into the mix. This cocktail layers sweet tea as a mellow anchor alongside tequila, triple sec, and a mix of lemon and lime juices, creating a citrus-forward drink with a smooth, unexpected twist.

The sweet tea and citrus juices soften tequila's bite, while a splash of triple sec adds enough sweetness to balance the acidity without making it overly sugary. Serve it over ice with a salt rim and garnish with a lime wedge. Or add seasonal fruit like peaches and berries for a colorful finish. This drink is a natural for taco nights, backyard gatherings, or anytime you want a margarita with a bit of warmth.

Are you curious about getting the citrus-to-tequila balance just right? Chowhound recommends the 3‑2‑1 ratio to make the perfect margarita — three parts tequila, two parts lime juice, one part orange liqueur — as a reliable template for customization, especially when you're experimenting with the structure of your margarita.

Strawberry Basil Sweet Tea feels like a garden party in a glass — vibrant, slightly herbal, and just sweet enough to feel indulgent. This nonalcoholic drink starts with sweet tea, then blends in brown sugar syrup, lime juice, fresh strawberries, and a hint of basil for a surprising flavor boost. If you're out of brown sugar syrup, a spoonful of honey blends in just fine and keeps things simple.

Juicy strawberries bring gentle fruitiness, while basil offers a clean, herb-forward lift. The sweet tea anchors it all, and the brown sugar (or honey) adds smoothness and richness. Lime juice brightens the finish and pulls the flavors into harmony.

Served chilled over ice and then garnished with both fresh strawberries and basil sprigs, this sweet tea drink is the kind that invites conversation and photos. It pairs beautifully with garden salads, soft cheeses, or a picnic spread under string lights. For more inspiration on pairing fruit and herbs in booze-free drinks, check out Chowhound's roasted strawberry and basil lemonade recipe — a bold, fruit-forward refresher that shows how well these flavors can work together.