If you’re like me, you can’t resist the temptation of a tall glass of sweet tea, especially on a scorching day or as the perfect accompaniment to a hearty meal.
But have you ever thought just how much caffeine is in Sweet tea?
An 8 oz. cup of sweet tea contains 20 mg of caffeine, primarily from black tea leaves.
You see, sweet tea is the blend of black tea and the right amount of sugar that’s hard to resist.
On top of that, the little caffeine content in this tea makes it more appealing!
Want to have an easy homemade sweet tea recipe? Keep scrolling!
What is Sweet Tea?
Sweet tea is a popular drink that from the southern United States.
It is a type of iced tea made by steeping black tea leaves in hot water and then sweetening the tea with sugar while it is still warm.
The sweetness of the tea is a defining characteristic of this drink.
It sets sweet tea apart from regular unsweetened iced tea.
To prepare sweet tea, black tea leaves are usually brewed in boiling water for several minutes to extract the flavors and tannins.
Once the tea is steeped, sugar is added to the hot tea and stirred until fully dissolved.
The amount of sugar used can vary depending on personal preference, but sweet tea is generally on the sweeter side.
After sweetening, the tea is allowed to cool, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and then served over ice.
Some people like to garnish sweet tea with a slice of lemon for an extra touch of flavor.
How Much Caffeine is in Sweet Tea?
Now the million-dollar question: Just how much caffeine does your cherished sweet tea contain?
On average, an 8 oz serving of sweet tea contains about 20 mg of caffeine.
That’s significantly less than the caffeine heavyweight champion, coffee, which packs a hefty 95 mg in the same-sized serving.
And what about soda, another popular beverage?
An 8 oz serving of cola contains approximately 22-28 mg of caffeine, putting it in the same ballpark as sweet tea.
So while your sweet tea does have caffeine, it’s a gentler pick-me-up compared to coffee and some sodas.
Iced Tea Vs. Sweet Tea
When it comes to iced tea and sweet tea, the distinction might seem as clear as night and day for some, while others might find the lines a bit blurred.
So, what sets these two popular beverages apart?
-> Iced Tea: This is simply any kind of tea that’s been cooled down and served with ice.
It can be black, green, or herbal tea, and it’s not necessarily sweetened.
-> Sweet Tea: A type of iced tea popular in the Southern United States.
It’s traditionally made with black tea, sugar, and sometimes a touch of lemon.
The key difference is that it’s sweetened, usually quite generously, which gives it its distinctive taste.
Gold Peak Sweet Tea Caffeine
The caffeine content in Gold Peak Sweet tea is 48 mg per 18.5 fl oz bottle. It has 21 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz (240ml).
Gold Peak Tea truly offers a variety of flavors to choose from, ranging from sweetened to unsweetened, and even including a blend of tea and lemonade.
With its home-brewed taste, real sugar, and natural flavors, it’s no wonder that Gold Peak has become a popular choice among tea enthusiasts.
Here’s a table on the caffeine content of different Gold Peak Sweet Teas:
| Different Types of Gold Peak Tea | Caffeine (mg)/18.5 fl oz |
|---|---|
| Unsweetened Lemon Tea | 34 mg |
| Sweetened Lemon Tea | 34 mg |
| Diet Tea | 24 mg |
| Sweetened Tea | 48 mg |
| Extra Sweet Tea | 25 mg |
| Slightly Sweet Tea | 50 mg |
| Green Tea | 25 mg |
| Diet Green Tea | 27 mg |
| Raspberry Tea | 24 mg |
| Unsweetened Raspberry Tea | 34 mg |
| Tea Lemonade | 34 mg |
For those who enjoy a little caffeine boost, flavors like Sweetened Tea and Slightly Sweet Tea offer a moderate amount of caffeine, while those seeking lower caffeine options can opt for Diet Tea or Diet Green Tea.
How Much Caffeine is in Iced Tea?
The caffeine content in iced tea can vary depending on several factors, including the type of tea used, the brewing time, and whether it’s sweetened or unsweetened.
On average, the lowest caffeine content in an 8 oz serving of iced tea is usually around 10-15mg.
Here’s a table summarizing the approximate caffeine content in an 8 oz serving of different types of iced tea:
| Iced Tea Type | Caffeine Content (mg) |
|---|---|
| Black Tea | 40-70 |
| Green Tea | 20-45 |
| White Tea | 15-30 |
| Oolong Tea | 30-50 |
| Herbal Tea (e.g., chamomile, rooibos) | 0-5 or caffeine-free |
| Sweetened or Flavored Iced Tea | Varies |
How To Control Your Sweet Tea Caffeine Intake
Knowledge is power, and knowing how much caffeine is in your cup is the first step towards managing your intake.
Here’s how you can keep your caffeine consumption in check:
- Know Your Numbers: Be aware of the caffeine content in the foods and drinks you ingest.
- Choose Decaf: Buy decaffeinated teas and drinks you like to enjoy.
- Monitor Your Servings: Don’t overdrink sweet tea. We know it’s refreshing but more than a couple servings can likely increase sugar intake.
Looking for low-caffeine alternatives? Here are a few options to consider:
- Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and come in a wide variety of flavors.
- Lemon water is simple, refreshing, and completely caffeine-free.
- Decaffeinated sweet tea lets you enjoy the taste you love, minus the caffeine.
Sweet Tea Recipe
8
servings10
minutes15
minutesRefreshing homemade sweet tea with a perfect balance of black tea and simple syrup, garnished with a slice of lemon for a delightful twist.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
8 cups water
6 tea bags (black tea)
Directions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
- Once the water is boiling, remove from heat and add the tea bags. Allow the tea to steep for about 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
- While the tea is steeping, make a simple syrup by combining the sugar with the remaining 4 cups of water in a separate pot. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Remove the tea bags from the pot and discard. Combine the steeped tea with the simple syrup. Stir well.
- Let the tea to cool, then store it to a pitcher and refrigerate. Serve your homemade sweet tea over ice, garnished with a slice of lemon, if desired. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is sweet tea caffeinated?
Yes, sweet tea is typically caffeinated. It is made from black tea leaves, which naturally contain caffeine. The caffeine content in sweet tea can vary based on factors such as the type of black tea used, the brewing time, and the tea-to-water ratio.
How much caffeine in a gallon of tea?
An 8-ounce serving of sweet tea has around 20 mg of caffeine. So, a gallon (128 ounces) of sweet tea could have approximately 320 mg of caffeine.
How much caffeine is in sweet tea from Chick-fil-A?
A 16-ounce cup of sweet tea from Chick-fil-A have about 61 mg of caffeine. Each fluid ounce of Chick-fil-A tea has 3.9 mg of caffeine, so an 8-ounce cup has about 31 mg of caffeine.
Does Gold Peak sweet tea have caffeine?
If you drink a 18.5-ounce bottle of Gold Peak sweet tea, you will get about 48 mg of caffeine. That means Gold Peak tea has 2.59 mg of caffeine in each fluid ounce, or about 20 mg in each 8-ounce cup.
Does Cane's sweet tea have caffeine?
There is some caffeine in Cane’s sweet tea, but the amount is unclear. Some sweet teas have about 41 mg of caffeine in a 16 fluid ounce cup, or 2.56 mg per fluid ounce. Cane’s sweet tea has 140 calories in a 16 fluid ounce cup, but that doesn’t show the caffeine level.