McDonald's Sweet Tea Review

Julie Boehlke
Julie Boehlke, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jan 15, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Who doesn't like McDonald's? What is it that keeps us coming back for more? It has to be the hot, fried food and the ice-cold sweet drinks. Now, the huge restaurant chain is leaning toward more of a southern-style flair by introducing popular southern food favorites such as their new sweet tea.

My first thought when I heard they had come out with sweet tea was, do Americans really need any more sugar?

Truth is, the amount of sugar in the medium-sized sweet tea from McDonald's is lower than the sugar content in a medium Coke. On a nutritional note, the McDonald's sweet tea came in at 150 calories with 38 grams of sugar and the coke was a lot higher at 210 calories with a whopping 58 grams of sugar! Unless you are avoiding sugar all together, the sweet tea isn't too bad as long as you indulge responsibly.

The south has prided themselves on their down-home cooking and especially their market for homemade sweet tea. For some southerners living in the deep south, sweet tea it is a household staple.

Recently, I tried the McDonald's brand sweet tea for the first time. I was impressed. Usually if I'm in a thirst- quenching mood, and water just wont do, I will choose decaffeinated unsweetened tea. When I ordered a McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich and small fry -- I thought I would try the sweet tea to compliment the meal.

The tea is served cold, over ice. The initial rush is sugary bliss! Warning: If you are not keen on sugary beverages, this tea may not be for you. I would have to say that the sugar over powers the taste of the tea itself, but not in a bad way.

I did find that requesting extra ice before I order my tea, must have helped in keeping the sugary flavor from overwhelming the beverage.

I personally like lemon with my tea and ordering a lemon wedge (if available) in your sweet tea is a great addition. This gives the tea a lemony zest.

McDonald's brews their sweet tea the same as their regular iced tea except they sweeten it in the final process.

The sweet tea at McDonald's compliments the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich very well. The salty, deep-fried flavor of the juicy sandwich and buttered bread taste better when polished off with the sweetness of the tea.

Overall, I would have to say that I enjoyed the taste of the sweet tea. I would recommend next time you visit McDonald's with your family -- you should give it a try.

Published by Julie Boehlke

Julie enjoys writing on a wide range of topics and genres. She enjoys uncovering fresh and interesting ideas in which to share with her Yahoo! reading audience.  View profile

  • The tea tastes sweet like the traditional southern style favorite.
  • Try adding lemon for a unique twist on this delicious beverage.
  • If you find the tea too sweet, add extra ice to dull the flavor.
Sweet tea is a popular beverage in the south.

28 Comments

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  • Deena9/15/2010

    Your facts are incorrect. From the McDonald's nutritional website the medium sweet tea has 45 grams of sugar not 36. The biggest issue though is that in all the McDonald's I've seen they ONLY have one size of Sweet Tea on their menu, the special foam cup of 32 oz. Which is what I see everyone with. That has a whopping 69 grams of sugar!!!!!! That is 17.25 teaspoons of sugar in one glass of Sweet Tea

  • Rob12/2/2009

    I totally agree. It is foul. Can you get it unsweetened?

  • Alice LIttle8/20/2009

    McD's sweet tea is possibly the most disgusting beverage I have ever tasted.

  • RicGillis8/14/2009

    Here in Los Angeles, I've found 1 McDonald's restaurant that serves sweet tea!, and I love it!, especially with lemon. I guess it's the tea flavor with the "BURST" of sweetness that's addicted me!LOL. I mostly have the Southern Chicken, or the Chicken Club sandwich, alongside an order of fries with it. Sometimes I've toned down the sweetness by mixing 3 quarters sweetened with 1 quarter unsweetened tea, or half and half as I "HATE" using water as it often dilutes the tea flavor along with the sugar. In moderation, it's a VERY good drink.

  • Nonya6/9/2009

    McD's sweet tea is very good. No question or reason for debate...really. You can get any size you want and if you don't like lots of ice (I do because it is fresh brewed and often warm), park your car, walk a bit and fix your own. Probably just as fast and much better for your health. If you follow most research, nothing is good for you. In a year they will be saying Green Tea gives you the creeping crud or worse...so enjoy what you enjoy in life and quit stressing out over a bit of sugar. Its all about balance in what you eat, in how you exercise, so I'm figuring that if you don't suck down a gallon or two a day, you should live to be at least 85...unless you choke on a chicken nugget.

  • Setsuka5/25/2009

    I tried this tea for the first time this weekend (in Nevada) and I am hooked! Seriously, the stuff was sugary, delicious, and went nicely with my McDouble. It's a shame the McDonald's in my home state (California) don't serve this stuff :(

  • Tearina5/13/2009

    This drink has nothing in common with sweet tea.

    http://coffeehousetearoom.com/?p=52

  • Jeff Balla11/30/2008

    I got a Sweet Tea one time, drank it, and then poured a 16oz bottle of Snapple into the cup (I still had all the ice).

    Filled it right to the top. So apparently, they gave me 16oz of ice.

    I'd be fine paying $1.07 for a 16oz Sweet Tea. But they give you a giant cup like it's actually 32oz.

    Can the FTC do anything about this?

  • retard boy 10/9/2008

    whats this sweet tea you talk bout

  • sweet tea lover10/9/2008

    i love the sweet tea there, especially with southern style chicken sandwich. i get one almost every week. everybody at my school drinks them even though there bad

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