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.
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Recipe Information
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)
Instructions
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
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.
Add the black tea bags to the hot water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Allow the tea bags to steep for 10 minutes.
After steeping, remove the tea bags and discard them. Do not squeeze the bags to avoid releasing any bitterness.
While the tea is still warm, stir in the granulated sugar until it is completely dissolved.
Pour the sweetened tea concentrate into a large pitcher. Add the remaining 6 cups of cold water and stir well to combine.
Refrigerate the tea for at least 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
Before serving, fill individual glasses with ice cubes. Pour the sweet tea over the ice.
Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
781 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.2 g | 0% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 144 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 206.0 g | 75% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 201.7 g | ||
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 128 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 77 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.
