Ruth's Secret Sweet Iced Tea

Quench your thirst with Ruth's Secret Sweet Iced Tea, a perfectly balanced Southern-style refreshment that blends classic flavors with a few clever twists. This easy recipe combines robust black tea, a touch of baking soda to eliminate bitterness, and just the right amount of sugar for a smooth, irresistibly sweet finish. A slice of lemon and fresh mint leaves lend a subtle hint of citrus and herbal aroma, elevating every sip with a refreshing burst of flavor. Designed to be chilled to perfection, this iced tea is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for summer gatherings, picnics, or any time you crave a homemade drink that’s as soothing as it is revitalizing. Serve it over ice for a crisp, cooling treat, and garnish with lemon slices or extra mint for an eye-catching presentation.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 6 pieces black tea bags
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 slice lemon
• 6 leaves fresh mint leaves
• 4 cups ice cubes

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil.

Step 2

Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and add the black tea bags.

Step 3

Stir in the baking soda—this helps to neutralize any bitterness in the tea.

Step 4

Allow the tea bags to steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired strength.

Step 5

Meanwhile, in a heat-safe pitcher, combine the granulated sugar with 6 cups of cold water and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Step 6

Remove the tea bags from the saucepan, pressing them gently to extract the remaining liquid. Discard the tea bags.

Step 7

Pour the brewed tea into the pitcher with the sweetened water, mixing well.

Step 8

Add a slice of lemon and the fresh mint leaves to the pitcher to infuse a subtle citrus and minty aroma.

Step 9

Refrigerate the tea for at least 1 hour to chill and allow the flavors to meld.

Step 10

When ready to serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour the sweet tea over the ice. Garnish with additional lemon slices or mint leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3101.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	765.2

Total Fat 0.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 372.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g	0%
Total Sugars 200.3g
Protein 0.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 125.5mg	0%
Iron 0.3mg	0%
Potassium 25.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 0.0%

Protein: 0.1%

Carbs: 99.9%