Southern Sweet Tea

Here's how to make your own Southern sweet tea at home—with a secret ingredient to make it smooth and delicious.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Cook Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 48

Add 4 cups of water to a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove the pot from heat and add the tea bags. Allow to steep for 10 minutes.
Add the sugar and baking soda to your pitcher.
Remove the tea bags from the water and discard.
Pour the tea concentrate into the pitcher. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
Fill the pitcher with cold water.
Chill before serving over ice with lemon slices.

For Southern sweet tea like they serve at McDonalds, use 2 cups of sugar per gallon of tea.
To store: Southern sweet tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may need to stir or shake the tea before serving, as some settling may occur.
To freeze: Pour the cooled tea into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, allow the tea to thaw in the refrigerator before serving.