Go Back
–+ servings
Square side shot of Southern sweet tea on a tray.
Print Pin
5 from 3 votes

Southern Sweet Tea

A classic Southern sweet tea recipe is an easy and refreshing summertime treat!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword Lipton Sweet Tea Recipe, southern sweet tea, sweet tea, sweet tea recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 16 cups (1 gallon)
Calories 48kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 12 regular-size black tea bags (or 3 family-size tea bags)
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or more or less, to taste)
  • 1 gallon water, divided
  • For serving: ice; lemon wedges; fresh mint

Instructions

  • Bring 4 cups of water barely to a boil. You can do this on the stovetop, or you can heat the water in the microwave for about 6-7 minutes. Add the tea bags and baking soda to the hot (but not boiling) water and steep for 4-5 minutes.
    Brewing tea in a glass measuring cup
  • Whisk sugar into the hot tea until the sugar is completely dissolved.
    Adding sugar to sweet tea base
  • Pour tea into a gallon-size pitcher. Add 3 more quarts (12 cups) of water to the pitcher; stir.
    Close overhead shot of a pitcher of sweet tea
  • Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Pour over ice and serve with lemon wedges and fresh mint, if desired.
    Square side shot of a tray with a pitcher and glasses of the best sweet tea recipe.

Notes

It might sound weird, but the best sweet tea includes a little bit of baking soda to neutralize the tannins in the tea, prevent a "cloudy" look, and give the tea a smoother taste.
Don't wait to stir the sugar into the tea when the tea has already cooled. Instead, vigorously whisk or stir the sugar into the hot liquid so that the sugar completely dissolves (and doesn't sink to the bottom). If you do it this way, you don't need to bother with making a simple syrup on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Sodium: 17mg | Sugar: 12g