Southern Sweet Tea

Quench your thirst with the timeless charm of Southern Sweet Tea, a beloved classic that perfectly balances bold black tea with the irresistible sweetness of sugar. This refreshing recipe features a secret touch—a pinch of baking soda—to eliminate bitterness, ensuring a smooth, mellow flavor in every sip. With just a few simple ingredients like black tea bags, granulated sugar, and plenty of ice cubes, this chilled beverage is effortlessly easy to make yet richly satisfying. Serve it over ice with a garnish of fresh lemon slices and sprigs of mint for a stunning presentation. Ideal for warm afternoons, backyard gatherings, or whenever you crave a taste of Southern hospitality, this sweet tea is a crowd-pleasing drink that never goes out of style.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 count black tea bags
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 cups water
• 1 pinch baking soda
• 4 cups ice cubes
• 1 count lemon (optional, for garnish)
• 4 sprigs fresh mint (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Once the water begins to boil, remove it from the heat and carefully stir in the baking soda. This step helps minimize bitterness in the tea.

Step 3

Add the black tea bags to the hot water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Allow the tea bags to steep for 10 minutes.

Step 4

After steeping, remove the tea bags and discard them. Do not squeeze the bags to avoid releasing any bitterness.

Step 5

While the tea is still warm, stir in the granulated sugar until it is completely dissolved.

Step 6

Pour the sweetened tea concentrate into a large pitcher. Add the remaining 6 cups of cold water and stir well to combine.

Step 7

Refrigerate the tea for at least 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.

Step 8

Before serving, fill individual glasses with ice cubes. Pour the sweet tea over the ice.

Step 9

Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3157.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	781.2

Total Fat 0.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 144.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 206.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.9g	0%
Total Sugars 201.7g
Protein 0.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 127.9mg	0%
Iron 0.4mg	0%
Potassium 77mg	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: 0.2%

Protein: 0.3%

Carbs: 99.5%