Move over plain ol’ iced tea, today is all about Southern Sweet Tea bliss! With the perfect balance of sweetness, and the SECRET INGREDIENT all Southern grandmas know, you’ll instantly take your tea to the next level! All that’s left is pouring your tea into a mason jar, hopping on the porch swing, and enjoying that sunset putting on a show!
Southern Sweet Tea
Are you ready for the tastiest way to cool down on a hot day? Southern Sweet Tea to the rescue!
Jessica writes: "My family loves this tea! They beg me to make it for every gathering. It's soooo good."
Sip, gulp or guzzle… there’s no wrong way to enjoy this invigorating sweet tea!
You may just to do all three, depending on how hot it is outside.
Now if you’re from the South, you already know what I’m talking about… and how this is the ultimate sweet treat in a mason jar. But if you haven’t experienced this Southern Heaven yet, this easy Southern Sweet Tea Recipe is for you!
And when I say sweet, I’m talking ridiculously, deliciously, heavenly sweet.
It’s also exceptionally smooth, full bodied sweet tea. Yup, this is the thirst quenching solution you’ve been looking for!
Make it up by the pitcher, and store some in your refrigerator to satisfy those cravings on a whim.
Then… on extra hot days, you can transform this sweet tea into an exhilarating frozen Sweet Tea Slush!
It’s so EASY to make and seriously frugal, too! Are you ready?
Here’s what you’ll do…
Ingredients
You’ll just need a few simple ingredients to make the BEST Sweet Tea!
Check your cupboards, raid your pantry, or add the following to your next grocery list…
- Black Tea Bags (regular size)
- Sugar
- Baking Soda
- Water
Oh, and don’t forget to have some type of pitcher with a lid on hand for storing your tea in the refrigerator.
See… I told you this was going to be EASY!!
Why Add Baking Soda To Tea?
It’s unusual, right?
But just trust me on this one… adding just a pinch of baking soda will make all the difference in your sweet tea.
It helps to neutralize and take the bite off, and smooth out the flavor into that delicious, sweet nectar you love!
Give it a try, and you’ll see why this is the secret trick all Southern grandmas use!
How To Make Sweet Tea
You won’t believe how easy it is to create the ultimate sweet tea slush recipe.
1. It all begins with the perfect sweet tea ingredients
2. Then you’ll boil hot water and add it to a 2 quart pitcher.
3. Next, add your tea bags and allow them to steep as specified, then add your final ingredients and stir your tea thoroughly until everything has dissolved.
4. Add your cold water and stir again, then move the tea to the fridge to chill until you’re ready for that first heavenly sip!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Southern Sweet Tea Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Southern Sweet Tea Recipe…
One reader writes: “This is the best sweet tea recipe, it will make you long for Summer nights sitting on Grandma’s front porch enjoying a glass.
J writes: “I tried it! It came out good. My teen daughter loves it.”
Kathy writes: “I have been looking for a great sweet tea recipe and found yours. I just made it and it is awesome. Thank you.”
Heather writes: “Was perfect!!!”
Sharon writes: “You don’t taste the baking soda, it just makes it smoother”
Sarah writes: “BEST. TEA. EVER!!”
Gaylene writes: “I made this sweet tea as directed, so easy and amazing! I’ll be making this often!”
Ramona writes: “So smooth, appreciate the recipe!”
Jessica writes: “My family loves this tea! They beg me to make it for every gathering. It’s soooo good.”
Kjrstn writes: “Easy peasy. Perfect flavour.”
Joyce writes: “My husband said it tastes like McDonalds sweet tea! Yummmm!”
Alicia writes: “Great recipe!”
Bethany writes: “My mom and I tried to make sweet tea three times and failed every time. I found this recipe with the 1/8 tsp of baking soda and GAME CHANGER… it’s perfect, thank you so much!”
Gabrielle writes: “That’s how my mama taught me to do it.”
Erica writes: “My great grandmother taught me the baking soda trick, too!”
Donna writes: “I also add a small Constant Comment tea bag which adds a hint of spice to our sweet tea. I learned that little trick while living in Georgia. At Christmas I use up to 4 family size bags.”
Southern Sweet Tea
Ingredients
- 6 Tea Bags (Black Tea), (standard 8 oz. size bags)
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/8 tsp. Baking Soda
- 2 cups HOT Water
- 6 cups COLD Water
- Optional: Lemon Slices for garnish
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Pour 2 cups HOT water into 2 quart pitcher.
- Add 6 tea bags, and steep for approx. 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove and discard tea bags.
- Add Baking Soda and Sugar to Tea, and stir well until dissolved.
- Add 6 cups COLD water, and stir again.
- Transfer to refrigerator, and once cold… serve in mason jars over ice.
- Optional: Add lemon slices over side of jars for garnish. ENJOY!
Notes
- Why Add Baking Soda To Tea? It’s unusual, right? But just trust me on this one… adding just a pinch of baking soda will make all the difference in your sweet tea. It helps to neutralize and take the bite off, and smooth out the flavor into that delicious, sweet nectar you love! Give it a try, and you’ll see why this is the secret trick all Southern grandmas use!
- For answers to Frequently Asked Questions or tips for common substitutions and variations, please refer to the detailed information above this recipe card.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!More Easy Beverage Recipes
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So have you tried this Southern Sweet Tea recipe yet?
Leave a comment & share!
Once made, how long is it good for in the fridge? Will adding a bit of lemon juice make it last longer? I’m so excited to make this, I LOVE sweet tea!!
Hi Bayleigh ~ I’ve found it’s best consumed within the first 2 – 3 days. Hope that helps!
This really does taste good, my husband is a diabetic and I don’t like Splenda, so real sweet tea is a treat for me. I want to make a gallon for Labor Day weekend. If I double 12 teabags just seems a lot, Has anyone tried this
Hi Ann ~ if doubling the recipe for 1 gallon, you’ll use 12 teabags. The volume of tea bags gives it the perfect amount of tea flavor paired with the sweet sugar. Hope that helps! 🙂
This was so delicious. I made it tonight exactly how it says. My teen daughter loved it. Thanks!!
You’re very welcome, Jodi! This is definitely a family favorite around here. I’m so glad to hear your daughter loved it, too!
Are these regular size tea bags or family size?
Hi Lori ~ you’ll use regular size tea bags. 🙂
What size tea bags did u use? They many different sizes.
Hi Andrea ~ you’ll use the standard 8 oz. size tea bags.
I just made this recipe and it’s the best!!
Aww… thank you, Rachel! I’m so glad you liked the sweet tea! 🙂
I’m from the South, home of sweet tea, but I’d never heard of the baking soda trick before. I’ll have to try it this way.
You will love it, Rebecca… it makes such a difference. 🙂
Gosh this sounds so good! I love how it’s a sweetened tea! I’m such a fan of tea in general so this is right up my alley! Thanks for sharing Heidi!
You’re very welcome, Christie! It is definitely a Summer must-have around here! 🙂
Since baking soda has some health benefits, do you think it’s fine to add more than an 1/8?
I honestly haven’t tried adding more than that, Dana… but if you do, let me know how it turns out!
If I were to add an artificial sweetner like Swerve how much would I use?
I honestly haven’t tried sweetening this tea with Swerve, but if you do… let me know how it turns out!
Hmmmm……..I’ve never heard of putting baking soda into tea. Sounds interesting! What does it do?
Hi Rebecca ~ I love adding just a pinch of Baking Soda to my sweet tea… even just a tiny bit really helps to cut the bitterness, neutralize the tea, and give it a smoother flavor. 😉
Thanks for responding Heidi! What a great tip! I will definitely try this out! Have a great day 🙂
Aww ~ you’re very welcome, Rebecca! Enjoy your Sweet Tea! 🙂