Food and Recipes Drinks Classic Sweet Tea 4.7 (16) 13 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 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 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 Save Rate PRINT Share Hands On Time: 5 mins Total Time: 50 mins Yield: 2 quarts Jump to recipe 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. Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley The Best Iced Tea Makers, According To Our Testing Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) 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 Gather ingredients: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Prepare tea bags: Place tea bags and baking soda in a large heatproof measuring cup. 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. Add ice and Simple Syrup: Add ice, and stir until ice melts. Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Stir in Simple Syrup. Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Serve: Serve over ice. Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Rate It Print