If you’ve spent any time in the South, chances are you know the feeling of a glass of cold sweet tea in your hand on a warm day. For brothers John and Thomas Karle, that feeling is more than nostalgia—it’s the heartbeat of their soon-to-launch business, Savannah Sweet Tea Company.
Set to launch this Memorial Day, May 26, the Savannah-based brand is gearing up to bring back what sweet tea should have always been: hot-brewed, all-natural, and made with care.
“We wanted to bottle the kind of tea we actually grew up drinking,” says Thomas Karle, co-founder. “Most of what you find on shelves today is made from concentrate. It’s easier for big brands, but it doesn’t taste the same. We knew we could do better—with an authentic process and clean, simple ingredients.”
Their inspiration? A family recipe passed down for decades and served nearly every day in the Karle household. “I can still see our mom in the kitchen, dropping tea bags into the pot before the rest of us were even out of bed,” says John Karle, co-founder. “There was always a fresh pitcher in the fridge, and there was always enough to share.”
Their mother still plays a role today, helping guide the brewing process and making sure every batch is just right. But make no mistake—this isn’t a story about a family recipe gathering dust in a drawer. This is about honoring that tradition while scaling it with purpose and care.
What sets Savannah Sweet Tea apart is their commitment to a real hot-brew process using organic black tea, cane sugar, and real fruit puree in their peach tea. No powders, no artificial flavors—just honest ingredients, brewed the right way.
“We’re not trying to reinvent sweet tea—we’re just bottling it the way it’s supposed to taste,” says Thomas.
The brand will launch with three classic flavors—Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, and Peach Tea—all bottled and available to order online starting Memorial Day. Shortly after, they’ll begin appearing in select retail locations throughout the Savannah area, with hopes to expand across the Lowcountry and beyond.
The idea for the company first sparked back in 2021, but the brothers spent the past few years refining the recipe, testing, and building a brand that stays true to what sweet tea is meant to be.
“Savannah is where it all started,” says John. “It’s where this brand came to life, and it’s where we’re building something we believe in.”
With thousands already following along on social media, the countdown is on for one of Savannah’s most anticipated launches this summer. You can follow along on Instagram at @savsweetteaco for updates, teasers, and behind-the-scenes looks.
Retailers interested in stocking Savannah Sweet Tea can reach out directly via savsweetteaco.com—the Karles are just getting started, and there’s a whole lot of sweet tea ahead.
