Classic Sweet Tea

4.7
(15)
12 Reviews

We love this sweet tea recipe because it's got strong tea flavor without being bitter, and it's sweet but not cloying.

By
Sheri Castle
Sheri Castle
Sheri Castle

Sheri Castle is an award-winning professional food writer, recipe developer, and cooking teacher with over 25 years of experience.

Southern Living's editorial guidelines
Updated on May 13, 2024
Recipe tested by
Southern Living Test Kitchen
Southern Living Test Kitchen
Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen

The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama.

Learn more about the Southern Living Test Kitchen
Hands On Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Yield:
2 quarts

Every Southerner has their recipe for sweet tea, and every Southerner swears their way is the only way. That is possibly true—but we still think anyone can learn a little something from our tried-and-true recipe for sweet tea.

For example, we prefer using simple syrup instead of granulated sugar. Why? The syrup is clear and won't muddy up the tea's apperance, as it doesn't need to full dissolve the way sugar does.

Another thing we think is right: adding baking soda for the clearest, smoothest cup of sweet tea you've ever had. We know you might be hesitant, but there's only a pinch—just 1/8 teaspoon—so you won't even know it's there. It'll just make your sweet tea the best you've ever had.

Southern Living Classic Sweet Tea in glasses to serve

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
The Best Iced Tea Makers, According To Our Testing

Ingredients

  • 12 regular-size tea bags

  • 1/8 tsp. baking soda

  • 1 qt. water

  • 1 qt. ice cubes

  • 1 1/4 cups Simple Syrup

Directions

  1. Gather ingredients:

    Southern Living Classic Sweet Tea ingredients

    Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  2. Prepare tea bags:

    Place tea bags and baking soda in a large heatproof measuring cup.

  3. Boil and steep tea:

    Bring water just to a rolling boil in a saucepan or kettle, and immediately pour over tea bags, making sure bags are submerged. Cover and steep 7 minutes. Remove tea bags without squeezing; discard tea bags.

  4. Add ice and Simple Syrup:

    Add ice, and stir until ice melts.

    Southern Living Classic Sweet Tea stirring in the ice

    Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

    Stir in Simple Syrup.

    Southern Living Classic Sweet Tea stirring in the simple syrup

    Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  5. Serve:

    Serve over ice.

    Southern Living Classic Sweet Tea in glasses to serve

    Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

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