We found the best sweet tea north of the Mason-Dixon line

I have a sweet tea addiction. That being said, it isn’t always easy trying to find sweet tea that is up to my standards when I’m not in Tennessee. That’s why fast food sweet tea is the best – you can almost always expect the same tea nationwide.

Since I am a sweet tea connoisseur, I created a bracket of 16 fast food restaurants in order to weed out the posers and crown the true Sweet Tea of Champions.

Round 1

This round was the most challenging. Driving around to all these restaurants took forever and half a tank of gas. Plus, about nine cups in, I was definitely regretting every single life choice I’ve made that has brought me to this point.

This game was not without its upsets and disappointments. Most of these teas were pretty standard – nothing particularly too great about them. The biggest upset was Dunkin’ Donuts. A chain known for its drink selections left a terrible aftertaste. Meanwhile, Hardee’s wasn’t sweet at all.

Round 2

After I weeded out the teas that were too mediocre or downright bad, it became a battle of sugar waters. I was shocked to find that there were some teas that are too sweet. Case in point, I’m pretty sure I sent my body into sugar shock by drinking KFC and Burger King back to back. Burger King only advanced because I could almost taste a hint of tea.

Zaxby’s advanced because while it is sugar water, I am both impressed and terrified that this is the small size. The small cup is bigger than the medium cups I was getting at other restaurants. Points to Zaxby’s for embracing my dedication to getting sweet tea.

Round 3

I had to put my foot down and say no to the sugar water. I know I live in Cleveland and we like our tea absurdly sweet, but Burger King and Zaxby’s were testing my strength and my resolve. Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s tea are at least semi-reasonably sweet. Burger King and Zaxby’s are sweeter than an Oompa Loompa’s sweat.

Round 4

This was really tough. But in keeping with my war on sugar water, the crown has to go to Chick-fil-A. McDonald’s is good every once in a while, but the sweetness can get overbearing. Chick-fil-A’s sweet tea has found the balance between sugar and tea.

So, in celebration, I took my brother back to Chick-fil-A so we could treat ourselves to lunch…and more sweet tea.