Iced Tea
This Perfect Sweet Iced Tea is pure southern comfort in a glass. It’s smooth, lightly sweetened, and packed with classic tea flavor — plus a few glow-up options to make it totally yours. Whether you’re sipping it on a hot porch swing afternoon or meal-prepping for the week, this tea is about to become your summertime go-to.
Equipment
- Large pot
- 2-quart pitcher
- Measuring cups
- Stirring spoon
- Fine mesh strainer
Ingredients
The Tea Magic:
- 8 cups water divided - trust me on this
- 6-8 tea bags black tea is classic, but Earl Grey works too!
- ¾ cup sugar or to taste - you're the boss here
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda the secret smoothness ingredient!
Flavor Glow-Up Options:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice for that perfect tang
- Fresh mint leaves because we're fancy like that
- Sliced lemons for serving pretty AND tasty
- Ice cubes lots and lots of ice!
Optional Fancy Additions:
- ½ cup fresh berries strawberries or peaches are bomb
- 1 tablespoon honey instead of some sugar natural sweetness vibes
- Fresh herbs like basil or lavender if you're feeling extra
- Flavored simple syrup vanilla, peach, raspberry - get creative!
Instructions
Get That Water Boiling
- First things first — bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in your biggest pot.
- While you're waiting, get your tea bags ready and find your favorite stirring spoon.
- I usually use this time to clean up my kitchen counter because we're about to get fancy with our tea-making!
Steep Like a Queen
- Once your water is boiling, remove it from heat and immediately add your tea bags.
- Add that tiny pinch of baking soda (trust me, it makes everything smoother and less bitter).
- Let it steep for 3-5 minutes max — set a timer, babe! Over-steeping is the enemy of good tea.
Sweet Talk Time
- While the tea is still hot, remove those tea bags (give them a gentle squeeze, but don't go crazy).
- Add your sugar and stir until it's completely dissolved — hot tea dissolves sugar like magic!
- This is when you taste and adjust — need more sweetness? Add it now while it's hot.
Cool It Down, Baby
- Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to your tea concentrate.
- Stir it up and let it cool to room temperature — I know, I know, patience is hard!
- If you're in a rush, you can put it in the fridge, but room temp first is best.
Serve It With Style
- Fill your glasses with ice (be generous, we want it COLD).
- Pour that beautiful amber tea over the ice.
- Add a lemon slice, sprig of mint, or whatever makes your heart happy!
Notes
- Baking soda = magic: Smooths out the tannins and balances any bitterness. Don’t skip it.
- Keep it glassy: Store in a glass pitcher for max freshness — plastic can mess with the flavor.
- Make it yours: More lemon, less sugar, fancy herbs — you do you, babe.
- Prep queen: Brew on Sunday, sip all week.