Southern Sweet Iced Tea
Experience the timeless charm of Southern Sweet Iced Tea, a classic beverage that perfectly balances bold, smooth black tea with a touch of indulgent sweetness. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, this refreshing drink features a secret trick: a dash of baking soda to mellow out any bitterness, ensuring a silky, clean flavor in every sip. Steeped to perfection and sweetened with granulated sugar, the tea is combined with cold water and served over ice for an irresistibly cooling treat on hot days. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint for a touch of elegance and extra zest. Easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, this recipe yields enough to share, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser for summer gatherings, backyard barbecues, or quiet afternoons on the porch. Taste the tradition of the South with this iconic drink!
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Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 6 pcs black tea bags
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.125 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups ice
- 0 lemon slices (optional)
- 0 mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
In a medium-sized pot, bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil.
Step 2
Once the water is boiling, remove it from heat and add the 6 black tea bags.
Step 3
Sprinkle in 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda. This helps reduce bitterness and creates a smoother tea flavor.
Step 4
Cover the pot and let the tea steep for 8 to 10 minutes. The longer steeping time enhances the flavor.
Step 5
After steeping, remove the tea bags, squeezing them gently to extract any remaining liquid, and discard them.
Step 6
In a large heatproof pitcher, combine the steeped tea with 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 7
Add the remaining 6 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir to combine.
Step 8
Fill serving glasses with ice and pour the sweet tea over the ice.
Step 9
Optional: Garnish with lemon slices or a sprig of fresh mint for added flavor and presentation.
Step 10
Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshing Southern Sweet Iced Tea!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (2579.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 577.4 |
| Total Fat 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 216.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 151.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 150.5g | |
| Protein 0.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 122.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 0.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 29mg | 0% |
Source of Calories