Southern Sweet Tea
A summertime staple in the south. This easy to make beverage is a delicious and refreshing libation when the temps soar.
Equipment
- 11 cup pitcher
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 11 cups water
- 3 large family sized black tea bags, or 12 regular sized black tea bags
- pinch baking soda
- lemon slices, for garnish
- fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
Make simple syrup:
- Add one cup water and one cup sugar to a small pan.
- Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Bring to a boil and simmer until sugar is completely dissolved and liquid changes from cloudy to clear.
- Remove from heat and allow simple syrup to cool slightly while you brew the tea.
Make the tea:
- Place 10 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once water comes to a boil, turn off heat and add tea bags to the hot water.
- Allow tea bags to steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and discard them.
- Add a pinch of baking soda to the tea and stir to combine.
- Pour simple syrup into the brewed tea.
- Stir to combine and allow tea to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer sweet tea to a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve sweet tea over ice and garnish with lemon slices or sprigs of fresh mint.