It all started at a backyard porch party when someone dared to drop a pickle spear into their sweet tea. Laughter followed, a few raised eyebrows came next, and then one sip made everyone pause. That quirky, accidental combo sparked a tiny Southern trend that’s now popping up in kitchens everywhere.

We stirred a pickle spear into sweet tea, then turned the tables. What began as a playful sip turned into a summer recipe you didn’t know you needed. Sweet tea pickles combine two Southern staples in a way that’s surprisingly refreshing, slightly spicy, and wildly snackable.

Think crunchy cucumbers marinated in dill brine and sweet tea, tangy, a little sweet, and unexpected in the best way.

How to Make Sweet Tea Pickles

Ingredients

• 2 cups cold water

• 2 Southern Breeze Original Cold Brew tea bags

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar

• 2 tsp kosher salt

• 2 tsp celery seed

• 2 tsp dill seed or 2 sprigs fresh dill per jar

• 3–6 medium pickling cucumbers, sliced into spears or rounds

• Clean jars with airtight lids (about 2 quart-sized jars)

Instructions

• Steep the tea bags in the cold water for 5–10 minutes, then discard the bags.

• Mix the brewed tea, vinegar, and salt in a saucepan and heat gently until the salt dissolves. Minimal cooking required.

• Let the brine cool slightly while you prep the jars.

• Divide cucumber slices, celery seed, and dill between your clean jars.

• Pour the warm tea brine into each jar, covering the cucumbers completely.

• Let the jars cool, then seal with lids and refrigerate.

• Chill for at least 1 hour before eating. For the best flavor, let it rest overnight.

Fridge Pickles in Your Tea? Yes, Really

Pour yourself a tall glass of Southern Breeze Original Cold Brew, add ice, and drop in a crisp dill pickle spear. Stir and let it sit for a few minutes before taking a sip. The mix of sweet, sour, and salty hits all the right notes.

It’s quirky, refreshing, and just plain fun. Think Southern drink recipe meets backyard party trick. Top with a green straw and serve it with a wink, and you’ve got summer in a glass.

Why You’ll Love It

• Combines two bold Southern flavors in one unforgettable bite

• No sugar needed, Southern Breeze Sweet Tea is naturally sweet

• Totally fridge-friendly with minimal cooking required

• Perfect for cookouts, porch parties, and late-night snack runs

• A sweet tea summer recipe that’s fun to share or keep all to yourself

Pro Tips for the Crunchiest Pickles

• Use seedless English cucumbers for the best snap

• Like it spicy? Add red pepper flakes or jalapeño slices

• Try it with Peach or Raspberry Cold Brew for a fruitier twist

• Save leftover pickle tea brine for slaws, marinades, or deviled eggs

A Southern Summer in a Jar

These sweet tea pickles aren’t just another quick pickle recipe. They’re a memory waiting to happen. The cool crunch of cucumbers, the tang of dill brine, and the smooth, mellow sweetness of tea come together in a way that tastes like sunshine, screen doors, and backyard laughter.

With Southern Breeze Original Cold Brew, you get all that flavor with none of the fuss. Just steep, pour, and let the fridge work its magic.

Grab a jar, gather your people, and make a batch worth sharing. Some recipes aren’t just tasted, they’re remembered.