Cool down with a refreshing glass of Salem College Iced Tea, a Southern-inspired beverage that’s perfect for sunny afternoons and casual gatherings. This unique twist on classic sweet tea features a secret ingredient—baking soda—that smooths away any bitterness for a perfectly balanced flavor. Black tea is brewed to bold perfection, lightly sweetened with granulated sugar, and brightened with a splash of tangy lemon juice. Served over ice and optionally garnished with fresh lemon slices and mint sprigs, this drink is as elegant as it is simple. With just 10 minutes of prep time, it’s an effortless way to elevate your summer drink repertoire or bring a touch of charm to any occasion.
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over medium heat.
Once the water boils, remove it from heat and add the 4 black tea bags. Allow them to steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired tea strength.
While the tea is steeping, add the 0.25 teaspoons of baking soda to a heat-resistant glass pitcher. This will help smooth out any bitterness from the tea.
Remove the tea bags from the saucepan (do not squeeze them to avoid bitterness). Pour the brewed tea into the pitcher containing the baking soda and mix well.
Stir the 0.5 cups of granulated sugar into the hot tea until fully dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature.
Once cooled, add 0.25 cups of lemon juice to the tea and stir until combined.
Fill the pitcher with 2 cups of ice cubes and refrigerate the tea for at least 30 minutes, or until fully chilled.
Before serving, pour the tea into ice-filled glasses. Optionally, garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig.
Calories |
404 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 31 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 106.9 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 102.3 g | ||
| Protein | 0.8 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 81 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 0.5 mg | 3% | |
| Potassium | 114 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.