You have shown your northern roots. I'm sorry, but it's not the same. Your suggestion would have weak lukewarm tea because of the melted ice. PROPER sweet tea has to have the sugar added when the tea is still hot. Adding the sugar to the tea after it has cooled is just not the same.
i understand the adding of the sugar when the tea is hot... it's basic science... what's the difference between making the tea, adding the sugar and then adding a gallon of water (which is one recipe a "southerner" gave) then making a cup of two-teabag tea, adding sugar (WHILE HOT) and then pour the strong tea over the ice, and adding additional ice if it's still "lukewarm?" (jftr, i do this all the time and it is reminiscent of the sweet tea my friend from texas has made me)