Sweet tea is the south’s version of iced tea, but better. Sweet tea is quintessential for any time of the year, whether it’s a picnic outside or a family dinner. Some people think that sweet tea is just when you pour a lot of sugar into iced tea, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Making sweet tea is not necessarily a quick process, but it is easy and absolutely worth it.
Pro Tip
What really sets sweet tea apart from iced tea is the addition of baking soda at the beginning of the process. The baking soda neutralizes the tannins in the tea making it less bitter, and some people say it also prevents the tea from getting cloudy.
Instructions
- Put 1 gallon, or 4 cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Turn off the heat and add in 12 bags of plain black tea like Lipton and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
- Let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- Add in 1 cup of sugar into the tea and mix until it has dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into another container, or multiple, and top with regular cold water.
- Store in the fridge anywhere from 4-24 hours and you’re ready to drink!
