Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 6 votes

Southern Sweet Tea

A classic Southern sweet tea recipe is an easy and refreshing summertime treat!

Prep Time
15 mins
Additional Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 16 cups (1 gallon)
Calories: 48 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 12 regular-size black tea bags (or 3 family-size tea bags)
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or more or less, to taste)
  • 1 gallon water, divided
  • For serving: ice; lemon wedges; fresh mint

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bring 4 cups of water barely to a boil. You can do this on the stovetop, or you can heat the water in the microwave for about 6-7 minutes. Add the tea bags and baking soda to the hot (but not boiling) water and steep for 4-5 minutes.
  2. Whisk sugar into the hot tea until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  3. Pour tea into a gallon-size pitcher. Add 3 more quarts (12 cups) of water to the pitcher; stir.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Pour over ice and serve with lemon wedges and fresh mint, if desired.

Notes

  • It might sound weird, but the best sweet tea includes a little bit of baking soda to neutralize the tannins in the tea, prevent a "cloudy" look, and give the tea a smoother taste.
  • Don't wait to stir the sugar into the tea when the tea has already cooled. Instead, vigorously whisk or stir the sugar into the hot liquid so that the sugar completely dissolves (and doesn't sink to the bottom). If you do it this way, you don't need to bother with making a simple syrup on the stovetop.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 48kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Sodium 17mg (1%) Sugar 12g (24%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16cups (1 gallon)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 48

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 48kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Sodium 17mg 1%
Sugar 12g 24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.