Classic Southern Sweet Tea
Experience the quintessential taste of Southern hospitality with this Classic Southern Sweet Tea recipe, a perfect blend of tradition and refreshment. This iconic beverage is crafted with smooth black tea steeped to perfection, softened with a pinch of baking soda for a velvety finish, and sweetened with just the right amount of granulated sugar. Served chilled over ice and adorned with refreshing lemon slices and aromatic mint leaves, this crowd-pleasing drink strikes the ideal balance between bold flavor and thirst-quenching sweetness. Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or lounging on the porch, this easy-to-make staple will bring timeless charm to your table. Keywords: Southern sweet tea recipe, homemade sweet tea, refreshing summer drink, classic iced tea.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 4 bags black tea bags
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.125 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups ice cubes
- 1 for garnish lemon slices
- 1 for garnish mint leaves
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Remove the saucepan from heat and add the black tea bags. Add the baking soda, which helps to soften the tea's tannins, giving it a smoother taste.
Cover and let the tea bags steep for 5 to 7 minutes, depending on your desired strength.
Remove the tea bags without squeezing them. This helps avoid any bitter taste from the tannins.
Add the granulated sugar to the hot tea and stir until completely dissolved.
Pour the sweetened tea into a large pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water, stirring to combine.
Allow the sweet tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least an hour to chill.
Serve the sweet tea over ice cubes in glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
810 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 239 mg | 10% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 203.1 g | 74% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.2 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 201.2 g | ||
| Protein | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 209 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 84 mg | 2% | |
*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.
