This large-batch Southern sweet tea serves 16 and is made with just three ingredients in a very specific order, ensuring no bitter taste and the perfect sweet glass every time. Poured over lots of ice, it's the ultimate fridge staple to keep you cool and refreshed all week long.
Buckle up, buttercup - this ain't your regular glass of tea. This here is a deeply Southern sugary sweet sweet tea that is going to change your life. Yep, I said it.
Growing up with my southern mother, who was born in Alabama and raised in Mississippi, the first 3 things I remember learning how to cook are buttermilk biscuits, homemade pie crust, and proper sweet tea. She may or may not have even put this stuff in our bottles as kids.... 😉
This stuff is in my blood. It is a part of who I am. I can make it in my sleep. We would go through at least 2 gallons a week growing up, and a big pitcher was always stocked in the fridge. It only takes 3 ingredients and 15 minutes start to finish, but it is made in a very specific way to ensure no bitterness and a smooth sugary drink that will have you licking your lips. Let me show you!
⭐️These are the specific steps that cannot be missed ↓⭐️
⭐️ PRO TIP - after making this recipe hundreds of times, I have definitely messed this up multiple times before. These are 4 things I learned to help ensure no bitterness (or grainy sugar) to the tea:
- Don't bring the water up to a full boil. It doesn't need to be that aggressive. A low boil is the perfect temperature where it is hot enough to steep the tea and dissolve the sugar.
- Do not steep longer than 5 minutes. This is where things can become bitter if you let it steep too long. On the other hand, it needs to be set long enough to extract the full flavor and not be weak. 5 minutes is the sweet spot in my opinion.
- Do not squeeze the tea bag when finishing steeping and discarding. Just pick it up with tongs, let it drip most of the water out, and then toss. This will help it not be bitter either. Ensuring a perfectly smooth and sweet tea every time.
- Lots of stirring! I know it may seem silly and excessive, but it is crucial to help the sugar dissolve properly and there be no grainy bits left behind AND to slowly bring the temperature of the tea down throughout the process.
Recipe
3 Ingredient Southern Sweet Tea
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
Description
This large-batch Southern sweet tea serves 16 and is made with just three ingredients in a very specific order, ensuring no bitter taste and the perfect sweet glass every time. Poured over lots of ice, it's the ultimate fridge staple to keep you cool and refreshed all week long.
Ingredients
- 12 Cups Water - divided*
- 1 ½ Cups Sugar
- 1 Ounce Tea Bag/s
- Lots of ice - roughly 5ish cups*
Instructions
-
- To a large pot, add 8 cups of water and bring to a low boil over medium heat.
- While the water heats, add the sugar to a gallon-sized pitcher.
- Once the water reaches a low boil, remove from the heat and add the tea bag/s. Let steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag with a set of tongs and toss it in the garbage (do not squeeze). Carefully pour the hot tea into the pitcher with the sugar. Stir for at least 1 minute and until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Add enough ice to fill the pitcher about ½ - ¾ way full. Stir well for another minute.
- Add in enough cold water till the pitcher is full. Stir one more time for about a minute.
- Serve immediately over ice or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- The amount of water needed may vary. Start with 8 cups to steep the tea, but the remaining amount may vary depending on your pitcher and how much ice you use. Just add enough cold water for the last step to fill the pitcher - no need to measure.
- I don't measure the ice either - I add several large handfuls until it fills the pitcher at least halfway if not more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 73
- Sugar: 18.7 g
- Sodium: 8.2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18.8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
