Sweet Tea Recipe
Sweet Tea Recipe is a classic Southern beverage made by brewing black tea, sweetening with sugar or syrup, serving over ice, often garnished with lemon or mint. This Sweet Tea Recipe tastes sweet, smooth, and lightly tangy, making it very delicious. I decided to make this recipe after seeing how it was prepared in a Southern kitchen, and I wanted to recreate that experience at home.
Equipment
- Saucepan or pot
- Teapot or heatproof pitcher
- Spoon or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Strainer (if loose tea leaves are used)
- Pitcher for serving
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3 black tea bags
- ¼ to ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/4 cups simple syrup
- Ice cubes as needed
- Lemon juice or fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Brew The Tea
- Pour 4 cups of water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Take it off the heat, add the tea bags and a pinch of baking soda, and let it steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, remove the tea bags and stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm so it dissolves completely.
Step 2: Sweeten And Chill
- Pour in 1¼ cups of simple syrup and mix well. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a pitcher and place it in the fridge until it’s fully chilled.
Step 3: Serve
- Fill glasses with ice, pour in the cold sweet tea, and add a splash of lemon juice or a few fresh mint leaves if you like. Sit back and enjoy!