Southern Sweet Tea
Homemade Southern Sweet Tea is the house wine of the south. This recipe comes out perfect every single time thanks to a simple tip.
Servings 16
Calories 97kcal
Ingredients
- 3 family size tea bags
- 2 cups sugar (see notes below)
- 1 gallon water (divided use)
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Boil ½ gallon of the water on stove in a pot. Once water comes to a roiling boil, turn the heat off. Then (using oven mitts to grab the handles of the pot) pour into a one gallon, heat resistant (boiling water safe) pitcher. TIP: I usually put the pitcher into the sink, then very carefully and slowly pour the water into it so it doesn't tip over, etc.NOTE: Obviously be very careful here, you're dealing with boiling water. If you are unsure if your pitcher is safe for boiling water, please check the manufacturers label or instructions. See my additional notes below.
- Add 3 family-size tea bags and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (you don’t need to stir) to the pitcher. Just make sure the bags are submerged in the water.
- Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, take out tea bags. Do not squish tea bags before taking them out, just let them drip for a minute.
- Add sugar and stir.
- Add the other ½ gallon of cold water to the pitcher and stir again.
- Chill completely in the refrigerator for several hours then serve in a glass with ice.
Video
Notes
- We like our tea sweet, but you can certainly cut down on the sugar if you prefer. I am showing just you how my family and friends enjoys it. You do what you prefer, obviously.
- When you make tea, you are dealing with hot water so please be a smart, common sense individual and take precautions to be safe and to not get hot or boiling water on your skin. If you are concerned at all that this might happen to you, please do not make this recipe. Also, if you are unsure if your pitcher can handle boiling water, check the manufacturer's label first.
- NOTE: I haven't attempted this but you may be able to steep the tea bags right in the pot on the stove. I haven't tried it myself because the pot is still very hot and I would worry I would burn the tea. But if you want to try it, make sure the pot is not on the heat anymore and make sure the tea bags are not touching the pot directly to avoid burning.
- This makes one gallon of sweet tea.
- Baking soda takes any of the bitterness out of your tea.
Nutrition
Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Sodium: 29mg | Sugar: 25g
