20-Minute Southern Sweet Tea
Classic Southern sweet tea using the secret baking soda trick to reduce bitterness and create smooth flavor. Brewed strong with family-sized tea bags, then sweetened and chilled. Perfect pitcher drink for warm weather gatherings and everyday refreshment.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Sprinkle baking soda into pitcher
- 2
If using glass pitcher, hold spoon in pitcher and pour boiling water against spoon to prevent cracking; otherwise use any container
- 3
Add tea bags to pitcher with baking soda
- 4
Pour boiling water over tea bags
- 5
Cover and steep for 15 minutes
- 6
Remove and discard tea bags
- 7
Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved
- 8
Add cool water
- 9
Refrigerate until cold
- 10
Serve over ice
Tips
Baking soda neutralizes tannic acid, reducing bitterness and creating smoother tea
Use a spoon as buffer when pouring hot water into glass pitcher to avoid thermal shock and cracking
For best flavor, use quality tea bags such as Luzianne or Lipton
Good to Know
Refrigerate in covered pitcher up to 2 weeks
Prepare up to 2 days in advance; chill thoroughly before serving
Pour over ice in glass; adjust sweetness to taste before first serving
Common Mistakes
Do not skip baking soda to avoid bitter, astringent tea
Do not omit spoon buffer when pouring hot water into glass pitcher to avoid thermal shock and cracking
Do not steep longer than 15 minutes to avoid over-extraction and excessive bitterness
Substitutions
adjust steeping time and straining method