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!
Sip, gulp or guzzle… there’s no wrong way to enjoy this invigorating southern sweet tea!
You may just to do all three, depending on how hot it is outside.
Jessica writes: "My family loves this tea! They beg me to make it for every gathering. It's soooo good."
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, then whipping up a batch of the best southern sweet tea recipe needs to be on your to-do list!
And when I say sweet, I’m talking ridiculously, deliciously, heavenly sweet.
It’s also an 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 Iced Tea!
It’s so EASY to make and crazy frugal, too! Just like my pucker perfect Fresh Lemon Lemonade Recipe, peachy Peach Milkshake, and copycat Chick Fil A Frozen Lemonade.
Seriously, you don’t need to pay for Chick Fil A sweet tea when you can make this amazing tea for a fraction of the price!
So go ahead and do yourself a refreshing flavor… when you find out for yourself what all the fuss is about!
Ingredients
Like all of my Easy Drink Recipes, it only takes a few simple ingredients to make the BEST sweet tea recipe!
Check your cupboards, raid your pantry, or add the following to your next grocery list…
- Black Tea Bags – You’ll use regular size tea bags for this recipe.
- Sugar – Just regular white, granulated 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.
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!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow To Make Southern Style Sweet Tea
You won’t believe how easy it is to make up a batch of the best southern sweet tea 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!
Seriously, when it comes to easy Copycat Restaurant Recipes, it doesn’t get any simpler than this sip-tacular Chick Fil A sweet tea recipe!!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
How Long is Sweet Tea Good For?
You’ll want to store your southern sweet tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then be sure to enjoy it within 3 days for optimal freshness.
Reviews
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying about this easy 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!”
Gabrielle writes: “That’s how my mama taught me to do it.”
Erica writes: “My great grandmother taught me the baking soda trick, too!”
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!”
Cindy writes: “I like adding the baking soda. It also makes the tea clear instead of cloudy.”
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.”
More Tasty Drinks To Make At Home
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Southern Sweet Tea
Doubling Recipe Tip
If doubling or tripling recipe with buttons below, ingredient notes found after comma will not adjust. Increase ingredients as needed.
Ingredients
- 6 tea bags Black Tea, standard 8 oz. size tea bags
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/8 tsp. Baking Soda
- 2 cups HOT Water
- 6 cups COLD Water
- Lemon Slices for garnish, (Optional)
Instructions
- Gather your southern sweet tea 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
- How To Store: You’ll want to store your southern sweet tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then be sure to enjoy it within 3 days for optimal freshness.
- FAQ’s: 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!
I need to make this pronto! I love sweet tea. Thanks for sharing Heidi!
Absolutely Kathrine. I hope you enjoy some deliciously sweet sipping!
Absolutely smooth and delicious! Love the baking soda tip. Never making tea again any other way! Thank you for sharing this gem 🙂
Thank you so much Traci, you are so sweet!
We made this sweet tea for the first time last week and absolutely loved it! It was smooth, refreshing, and perfectly sweet. The little baking soda trick really does make a difference. This is definitely going to be a regular in our fridge all summer long!
I am so glad you liked it Elaine! And I think keeping a pitcher of this in the fridge is a very sweet idea indeed!!
That does sound delicious!
I really like the idea of tea with a touch of sweetness–it makes it feel extra comforting.
Being a tea lover myself, this is exactly the kind of thing I’d enjoy.
Appreciate you sharing this, Heidi!
I am right there with you! Give me that extra sweetness in my tea and I am a happy girl!
This recipe is perfect!
You are so sweet Jen! I hope you are having a fabulous summer!!
I remember sitting on the porch of my grandparents’ house in rural South Carolina. The adults would sip on tea while the kids ate popsicles. Now I don’t know if my grandma used the baking soda trick, but I’m going to have to try that out – what a genius idea!!
I do miss those times spent with my grandparents. They really were the best! And throwing in some delicious sweet tea and popsicles makes everything that much more wonderful!
I was a little leary about the baking soda because I was using liquid monk fruit instead of sugar. Happily surprised is an understatement! It turned out great. She’s right. The baking soda adds a smoothness that I don’t get otherwise. Thank you so much!
I am so glad it worked for you!
I hope you have a beautiful day ~ Heidi
Just made this delicious tea for my teenager and her friends. It’s sweet and has a smooth taste!! Now I know the secret (bakiang soda) and will share with the whole family!! Thank you!!!
You’re very welcome, Chantel… I’m so glad you loved it! 🙂
It was delicious! My granddaughter requested it fir her birthday party. It was a big hit. Many asked for the secret. I think it’s the baking soda.
Thank you!!!
I’m so glad everyone loved it, Denise! And I agree… that secret ingredient makes ALL the difference! 🙂
That is genius! Must give that baking soda hack a try. We have found if we cold brew tea we do not get so many of these bitter tannins in the tea. However, sometimes you got to have iced tea FAST so this is a trick we are going to remember. Thank you!
You’re very welcome… ENJOY! 🙂