How Much Sugar Is in Sweet Tea?
A cup of sweet tea has about 22 g of added sugar — brewed tea itself has none, so the sweetness is entirely sugar stirred in, often while the tea is still hot.
in 1 cup (240 ml) · about 5.2 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 22 g
- Per 100 g
- 9 g
- Type
- Added sugar
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 5.2 tsp
A big chunk of a day's sugar in one serving.
Plain brewed tea has essentially no sugar on its own — the roughly 22 g per cup in sweet tea comes entirely from sugar dissolved into the pitcher, typically while the tea is hot so it fully dissolves. A large restaurant glass can easily carry double that.
Because it reads as 'just tea', sweet tea's sugar is easy to lose track of, especially with free refills. Unsweetened tea with a splash of juice or a small measured amount of honey gives you control over exactly how much sugar you're adding.
Lower-sugar swaps
- Order unsweetened and add your own light sweetener at the table
- Iced tea with a splash of fresh lemon instead of sugar
Frequently asked questions
- How much sugar is in a large sweet tea?
- A standard cup (8 fl oz) runs about 22 g; a large restaurant glass (16–20 fl oz) can carry 45 g or more, since the sugar concentration stays the same as the volume grows.
- Is unsweetened tea a good swap for sweet tea?
- Yes — plain brewed tea has no sugar. If you want sweetness, add a small measured amount yourself rather than drinking a pre-sweetened pitcher.
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Sugar values from Typical nutrition label; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-08-09.