Recipes: Secret Southern Sweet Tea

Madi Crites
Aug 15
2 min read

Y’all, it is HOT outside. And when your girl starts to sweat, you know it’s time to break out the BEST sweet tea recipe this side of the Everglades.

Now, I don’t claim to be a gourmet chef, but I do know my way around a pitcher of sweet tea. This one is cool, crisp, and unapologetically Southern. Whether you’re headed to a cookout, lounging by the pool, or hiding from the punishing Florida sun with the AC on full blast, you won't want to spill this tea!

What You’ll Need For Your Sweet Tea:

2 quarts of water
1 cup of sugar
1/8 tsp baking soda (the secret weapon!)
3–4 tea bags (the more, the stronger)
Lemon slices for garnish

This recipe makes a half-gallon. Want a full gallon? Double it up, baby!

Step 1: Bring Water to a Boil

Pour half your water (1 quart) into a saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil.

Turn off the heat, toss in your tea bags.

Then, add a pinch of baking soda. No need to stir, just let the magic happen.

⏱️ Set a timer for 15 minutes and let it steep.

Perfect time to prep your lemon slices or grab a cute pitcher for serving!

🤫 Why Baking Soda?

This is the not-so-secret secret that Southern Gigis, MeeMaws, and Nannys have sworn by for generations. Baking soda softens any bitterness from the tea and gives your brew a smoother, almost velvety finish. Think of it as the fairy dust of sweet tea. ✨

Step 2: Sweeten It Up

Once your tea has steeped:

Remove the tea bags (let them drip, don’t squeeze!)
Pour the warm tea into your pitcher
Stir in 1 cup of sugar until it fully dissolves
Top off with the remaining cold water (1 quart)

Step 3: Chill & Serve

Pop that pitcher in the fridge and let it get nice and cold. When ready to serve, add in your lemon slices or get creative with basil leaves or rosemary sprigs for an herbal twist!

Sip & Enjoy

That’s it, y’all. The perfect pitcher of Southern sunshine in a glass. Serve it up at your next BBQ or pour yourself a tall glass, kick up your feet, and enjoy every sweet, refreshing sip.