Description
A classic Southern sweet tea recipe designed for meal prep, yielding a large batch that lasts for five days. This simple drink uses just black tea, sugar, and water for a crisp, refreshing taste without high-fructose corn syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups water (for brewing)
- 8 standard black tea bags (e.g., Lipton or Bigelow)
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 8 cups cold water (for dilution)
- Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Pour 8 cups of water into a large pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the 8 tea bags. Let steep for 10 minutes. Do not squeeze the bags.
- Remove and discard the tea bags.
- While the tea is still hot, add the 1 cup of sugar and stir constantly until completely dissolved.
- Pour the sweet tea concentrate into a large pitcher and add 8 cups of cold water. Stir gently to mix.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow flavors to meld.
- Serve over ice with lemon slices if desired.
Notes
Do not boil the tea bags as this causes bitterness. Always add sugar to hot tea to ensure it dissolves completely. For a low-sugar version, reduce sugar to 1/2 cup. Cloudiness may occur if cooled too quickly; this is harmless. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 23
- Carbohydrates: 23
Keywords: Southern sweet tea, meal prep drinks, homemade iced tea, batch tea recipe, healthy lunch drink, gluten-free beverage