A tall glass of handmade Southern sweet tea is the best thing ever!
It has a rich, brewed tea flavor that we all adore, and it’s smooth and just the right amount of sweet.
You know sweet tea is a must-have if you’ve ever had it at a family get-together or a cookout in the backyard.
And the best part?
Making it at home is quite easy!
This recipe has the perfect amount of strong tea and sweetness to give you that typical Southern taste.
Plus, I’ll tell you how to keep it from growing bitter and make it precisely the way you like it.
Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 6 bags of black tea (Lipton or Luzianne are ideal)
- ¾ cup of sugar in granules
- Four cups of cold water
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda (optional, makes the taste less bitter)
- Ice for serving
- Optional: lemon slices or mint leaves for decoration
A medium-sized saucepan
Big pitcher that won’t break in the heat
Spoon made of wood
Cups for measuring
Use a spoon or tea bag clips to steep.
Tips for Brewing
Don’t steep too long! If you leave tea bags in too long, the tea will taste bad. Stay with 5 to 7 minutes.
Baking soda tip: A small amount of baking soda will make any bitterness go away. It makes a tremendous difference, even though you can’t taste it.
While the tea is still warm, dissolve the sugar. This helps it mix in better instead of sinking to the bottom.
If you can, use filtered water. It makes the tea taste better and cleaner.
Cool down before serving. If you don’t want the tea to get watered down, let it cool all the way down before pouring it over ice.
Instructions
- Put 4 cups of water in a medium saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it boils.
- Take the pot off the heat and add the six tea bags. Let them sit for 5 to 7 minutes, and then carefully take them out.
- While the tea is still warm, add ¾ cup of granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon of baking soda and whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Put the sweetened tea in a big pitcher that can handle heat, then add 4 cups of cold water to thin it down. Mix it up well.
- Let the tea cool to room temperature, then put it in the fridge for at least two hours. If you choose, you can serve it over ice with lemon slices or fresh mint.
Additional Variations
- Not as sweet? Use simply half a cup of sugar or honey instead for a gentler sweetness.
- Tea that is stronger? You might add another tea bag or let it steep for 10 minutes instead of 5–7.
- Twist with herbs? For a refreshing taste, try adding a few sprigs of fresh mint while the tea is steeping.
- Do you like citrus? Add a splash of fresh lemon juice for a zesty flavor.
Storage & Serving
You may make sweet tea up to three days ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
If you’re making it ahead of time, don’t put ice in it to keep it from getting watery. Just add ice when you serve!
You can keep leftover tea in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to five days.
If you leave it out at room temperature for too long, it can taste a little odd.
No ice in the storage! Add ice right before serving because it will dilute it down.
Final Thoughts
Have fun with your own Southern sweet tea!
That’s all! You just created the tastiest handmade Southern sweet tea. It’s smooth, delightfully sweet, and very refreshing.
This recipe will never let you down, whether you drink it on the porch, at a picnic, or with supper.
Try it out and tell me in the comments how it went!
Do you have any family secrets for making the best sweet tea?
I’d love to hear what they have to say! 🍋🍋🍋