Southern Sweet Tea
Southern sweet tea is a refreshing beverage made with black tea and sugar, perfect for quenching thirst on hot days and embodying Southern hospitality.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups water Split into 4 cups boiling and 4 cups cold.
- 4-6 bags tea bags (black tea preferred) Use 4 bags for a milder taste and up to 6 for a stronger brew.
- 1-1.5 cups granulated sugar Adjust to taste.
- Fresh lemon slices Optional, for garnish.
- Fresh mint leaves Optional, for garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by boiling 4 cups of water in a saucepan.
- Once boiling, remove it from the heat and add the tea bags. Allow them to steep for about 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer your tea.
- While the tea is steeping, combine the remaining 4 cups of cold water and sugar in a large pitcher. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely.
- After the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and pour the tea into the pitcher with the sugar mixture. Stir until well mixed.
- Taste your sweet tea. If you prefer it sweeter, add more sugar, a little at a time, until you reach your desired sweetness.
- Chill the tea in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Serving
- Serve over ice in tall glasses and garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.
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Notes
Making the perfect Southern sweet tea involves adjusting the steeping time and sugar level to suit your taste. Be sure to chill the tea for at least an hour before serving for the best flavor.