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–+ servings
A glass pitcher and two mason jars filled with sweet tea, lemon slices, ice cubes, and mint leaves sit on a wooden surface. Whole and sliced lemons surround the drinks, with a green, sunlit background outdoors.
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Sweet Tea Recipe

The pitcher I nearly always use for iced tea is 1 ½ quarts. Scale this recipe for your size. My rule of thumb is about 6 tablespoon of sugar per quart of liquid.
Prep Time5 minutes
Steeping Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 32kcal
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

  • pinch baking soda (Optional to keep the tea clear)
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 4-6 individual size tea bags
  • ½-3/4 cup granulated sugar or honey
  • 6 cups cold water

Instructions

  • Add a pinch baking soda, tea, and boiling water into o a 64-ounce heatproof glass pitcher. Let steep 10-15 minutes.
  • Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and discard. Then, stir in the sugar (or honey) until completely dissolved along with the cool water.
  • Refrigerate until cold. Enjoy over ice and garnish with slices of lemon and mint sprigs if desired.

Notes

  1. Optional: If you like your iced tea clear, try adding a pinch of baking soda into the pitcher along with boiling water, tea, sugar (or honey) and cold water. This helps cut the bitterness, keeps the tea clear, and provides a nice balance.
  2. Natural Sweetener: If you want to avoid granulated sugar, try honey instead!
  3. Love Lemon?: If you love a bright lemony flavor with your iced tea, try 3 tablespoons lemon juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 0.2mg | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.004mg