Southern Sweet Iced Tea Recipe

Name: Southern Sweet Iced Tea
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: about 8 cups
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 cups water, divided; 6 black tea bags (such as Lipton or Luzianne); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/8 teaspoon baking soda (optional, for clarity); Lemon slices for serving (optional)

American · Beverage · 15 min total

Southern Sweet Iced Tea recipe videos

A classic Southern staple, this sweet iced tea is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sugar and a hint of lemon. It's refreshing, simple, and a must-have for any gathering.

5
min prep

10
min cook

8
servings

100
kcal/serving

Ingredients

8 cups water, divided
6 black tea bags (such as Lipton or Luzianne)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon baking soda (optional, for clarity)
Lemon slices for serving (optional)

Instructions

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and add the tea bags and baking soda (if using). Steep for 5 minutes.
Remove the tea bags and stir in the sugar until fully dissolved.
Pour the concentrated tea into a 2-quart pitcher. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and stir.
Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Serve over ice with lemon slices if desired.

Tips

Adjust sugar to taste; some prefer up to 1 1/2 cups.
Baking soda helps reduce bitterness and cloudiness.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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