Southern Iced Tea
Quench your thirst with this classic Southern Iced Tea recipe, a refreshing blend of smooth black tea, subtly sweetened with granulated sugar and perfected with a pinch of baking soda to eliminate bitterness. This timeless beverage is brewed to full-bodied perfection and then chilled with ice for a crisp, revitalizing sip every time. Whether you prefer yours garnished with zesty lemon slices or aromatic mint sprigs, this Southern staple is a must-have for warm afternoons, family gatherings, or summer cookouts. Ready in just 15 minutes and yielding a generous 8 servings, this homemade delight is far superior to store-bought alternatives. Enjoy authentic Southern charm in every glass!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces black tea bags
- 8 cups water
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups ice cubes
- 4 pieces lemon slices (optional)
- 4 sprigs fresh mint sprigs (optional)
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and add the black tea bags. Stir in the baking soda, which helps to eliminate bitterness and keeps the tea smooth.
Let the tea steep for 8-10 minutes to ensure a rich, full-bodied flavor.
While the tea is steeping, add granulated sugar to a large heatproof pitcher.
Carefully remove the tea bags from the saucepan, gently squeezing out the excess liquid, and pour the hot tea over the granulated sugar in the pitcher. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher to dilute and cool the tea.
Fill glasses with ice cubes, then pour the tea over the ice to serve. For added Southern charm, garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.
Refrigerate any leftover tea in the pitcher for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
593 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.4 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 377 mg | 16% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 156.8 g | 57% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.4 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 152.0 g | ||
| Protein | 0.8 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 127 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 4% | |
| Potassium | 88 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.
