Sweet tea from the South
Sweet tea from the South is more than simply a drink; it’s a way of life.
You may drink it on your front porch, share it at family cookouts, and always have it in the fridge.
This recipe is easy, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet.
Don’t worry if you’ve never prepared sweet tea at home before. I have all the information you need to make it exactly perfect!
Ingredients
- Four cups of water for boiling
- Four bags of black tea (Lipton or Luzianne work well)
- ¾ cup of sugar in granules
- 4 more cups of cold water
- Cubes of ice (for serving)
- Optional lemon slices
- Fresh mint (optional)
Equipment
- A medium-sized saucepan
- Pitcher that can handle a lot of heat
- A long spoon for stirring
- Cup for measuring
- Spoon or tongs for tea bags
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil.
Put 4 cups of water in a medium saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it boils. - Let the tea sit.
Take the pan off the heat. Put in four black tea bags, making sure they are all the way in the water. Let them sit for five minutes. - Add sugar to the tea.
Take the tea bags out carefully and throw them away. Add ¾ cup of granulated sugar to the boiling tea and stir until it is all dissolved. - Add some cold water.
Put the sweet tea in a big pitcher that can handle heat and add 4 extra cups of cold water to make the taste even. - Cool and Serve.
Let the tea come down to room temperature, then put it in the fridge for at least an hour. If you want, you can serve it over ice with lemon slices and fresh mint.
Tips for Perfect Sweet Tea
- Don’t steep the tea for too long; it can get bitter if you do.
- Dissolve the sugar in the boiling tea to make sure the sweetness is just right.
- Use filtered water to make the tea taste more fresher and smoother.
- Before serving, chill it. Ice alone won’t cold it enough. First, put it in the fridge to cool.
- Try honey or simple syrup. To make it more interesting, use honey or a homemade syrup instead of sugar.
Variations
- Less sugar? For a less sweet taste, use ½ cup instead of ¾.
- Tea that is stronger? For a stronger flavor, add another tea bag.
- Tea with a flavor? If you want a fruity twist, use peach or raspberry tea bags.
- No tea that is black? You can also use green tea, but let it steep for three minutes instead.
Storage
In a sealed pitcher, it will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Don’t keep lemon slices in the tea because they can make it taste bad over time.
To get the greatest taste, shake or swirl before serving.
A nice glass of homemade sweet tea is the best!
It’s simple, refreshing, and great for any event.
Give it a try and tell me how it goes. Leave a comment with your favorite way to serve sweet tea! 🍋🥤