Cool off this Summer with a nice, big glass of this Perfect Southern Sweet Iced Tea!! There’s a simple trick to keep it from being bitter! #sweettea #drinks #summer
Sharing this recipe on the blog may seem very elementary to some of y’all. But I assure you, Southern Sweet Iced Tea is not something everyone knows how to make! Surprised?! I was too! Growing up in the South, Sweet Tea is in our blood. They don’t call it the house wine of the South for nothin’.
About 18 years ago, I lived in the Midwest for awhile. I didn’t realize people there (for the most part), drink unsweetened iced tea …. The first time I tried to order Sweet Tea in a restaurant, they looked at me funny and offered me unsweetened tea with some sugar packets on the side. Ummmm, no! Kinda reminds me of the monopoly money memes ….
I have to admit, I love sweet iced tea on a hot day. Or any day for that matter! 🙂 We’ve entered the part of the year here in Phoenix where we probably won’t see any days in the double digits until September or October ….. it’s hot!! That means a lot of sweet iced tea at our house!
A note for those wondering, “why the baking soda?” If there is any bitterness in the tea, the baking soda counteracts it! No more bitter tea! 🙂
It’s quick and easy to make a pitcher! Let’s do it, shall we?
Perfect Southern Sweet Iced Tea {Never Bitter}
Printable recipe
Yield: 6-8 servings
6-8 regular size tea bags
2 cups boiling water
½-1 cup sugar, or to taste (I use about ½ to ¾ cup)
6 cups cold water
Pinch of baking soda
Ice
Lemon and/or mint sprigs, for garnish (if desired)
Place tea bags in the boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and discard them. Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Add the cold water and baking soda. Mix well. Pour over ice and refrigerate until cold. Serve with lemon slices and/or mint sprigs, if desired.
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Such a perfect summer drink! I will be making this for sure. Pinned!!!
It really is! Thanks so much for pinning, Rina! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe!! I will definitely give this Sweet Tea a try this summer! Blessings, Catherine
I am a southern girl and love my sweet tea. I make it, but have never added any baking soda. What do you put it in there for?
Just curious.
If there is any bitterness in the tea, the baking soda counteracts it! 🙂
me too…Wondering why?
it stops it from getting bitter and cloudy
Looks very refreshing, Jamie ! Pinned 🙂
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
I'm a Pacific Northwest girl and like my tea unsweetened. But I'm pinning this to try it. And because your pictures are gorgeous! Thank you! Oh, and I saw your link on the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. 🙂
Thanks so much for stoping by and the awesome comment, Lila! 🙂
I live in Texas and of course we do the sweet tea in my house but I have never heard of adding baking soda……can I ask why add baking soda?
If there is any bitterness in the tea, the baking soda counteracts it! 🙂
Baking soda! What an interesting idea! Both my hubby and I were weaned on sweet tea and it is so refreshing to hear someone else that agrees that unsweetened tea with sugar packets is not the same thing. I get so many weird looks at restaurants for that! Right now I’m at work drinking on a huge glass of blackberry spiced ice tea that I just made. Makes the day go by better!
Sugar packets don't work for me lol. That blackberry spiced ice tea sounds delicious!
I brew mine through the coffee pot with no filter. I also wait til it cools to room temperature to add the cold water. I find that it makes for a better more steeped flavor.
I love sweet tea… but southern sweet is too much for me.. I actually love when tea comes with the sugar syrup on the side and I can add just the right amount for me! This looks good though and perfect for summer. Oh and what is your pinterest pop up? Is it Ahalogy?
Texas girl here. Although I gave up sugar in my tea eons ago, I combat the bitterness two ways. First don't place bags in boiling water! Tea leaf is uber sensitive and boiling water will tear them up and release bitterness. I heat my water until almost boiling then turn off the heat. I put in the tea bags in to steep. You have to let that cool completely before dumping it into cold water! Ever had cloudy tea? Gross! The other trick is to NOT squeeze the bags when removing from steep. That is the biggest mistake of all!
Texas girl here. Although I gave up sugar in my tea eons ago, I combat the bitterness two ways. First don't place bags in boiling water! Tea leaf is uber sensitive and boiling water will tear them up and release bitterness. I heat my water until almost boiling then turn off the heat. I put in the tea bags in to steep. You have to let that cool completely before dumping it into cold water! Ever had cloudy tea? Gross! The other trick is to NOT squeeze the bags when removing from steep. That is the biggest mistake of all!
I love this recipe! I live in Colorado and the closest thing we get to sweet tea is ordering it at Chick Fil A! Haha! There is definitely a difference using simple syrup vs. sugar or sweetener. I can't wait to make this…Pinned!
I've made sweet tea this way many a time and there really is nothing like it 🙂 Thanks for sharing — adding to pinterest! {here via Whimsy Wednesday}
I'm going to try this with family size bags. I remember my Grandpa always putting a pinch of baking soda in his too. Making this tonight. This Southern Redneck loves her tea!
HI Jamie, thanks for sharing your refreshing 'perfect' Southern Sweet Iced Tea with Foodie Friends Friday party this week. I love iced tea (and iced coffee too). I've pinned and shared.
Hope we see you again next week,
Joanne
Great tip with the baking soda! I've never heard that. I do love me some good iced tea! Thanks for sharing at my Creative Ways Link Party! Hope to see you again this week!
Blessings,
Nici
My hubby makes his tea like this but he doesn't add baking soda. What does the baking soda do?
Thanks for the recipe with shared it with our fans in honor of National Iced Tea Day!
I may be the only southern girl who drinks unsweetened tea (which I drink like water!). But I do agree that sugar packets do not make sweet tea. They just make sugary sludge at the bottom of glass.
My husband loves sweet tea–will have to try the baking soda trick on a batch for him.
Thanks for linking, Jamie!
I love sweet tea!
Not a southern gal Jamie, but I know sweet tea is THE drink to have!! This looks so refreshing – thanks for joining us at BOTW!! Pinned!
Do you boil the tea bags for ten minutes – or turn off the heat and steep the bags in the super hot water for 10 minutes. I worry about 10 minutes of boiling – that seems pretty drastic. (but I'm not southern, so I probably don't know…..)
Hi Kate! Thanks so much for your question. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from the heat. Steep the tea bags in the boiled water right after it comes off the heat! I hope that clarifies the instructions! 🙂
Awesome recipe, Jamie! My kids LOVED this