• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Media and Advertising
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

No. 2 Pencil

Cook, Bake & Create

  • Recipe Index
    • Single Serving
    • One-Pot Meals
    • Slow Cooker
    • Cookies
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Drink
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Easy Dinner Recipes

Perfect Sweet Tea Recipe

March 28, 2013 by Melissa 26 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
Yum

The Perfect Sweet Tea Recipe - there is a secret ingredient!

 

Our family loves sweet tea, especially at a party or BBQ. One of my favorite things to do is sit in the backyard and watch the kids play while I sip on an icy glass of sweet tea. I thought it was about time I shared my Perfect Sweet Tea Recipe.

This sweet tea is the perfect balance of flavors, and a pinch of baking soda gives it an ultra smooth finish. Baking soda is the secret ingredient that makes this sweet tea recipe so good!

3 from 2 votes
Print
Perfect Sweet Tea Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
The perfect recipe for ultra smooth sweet tea.
Course: Drink
Author: Melissa @ No. 2 Pencil
Ingredients
  • 10 regular sized Lipton tea bags
  • Fresh filtered water
  • 1 1/2 cups of sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
Instructions
  1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat and add tea bags.
  2. Let tea steep for about 10 minutes.
  3. Remove tea bags and add sugar to hot water.
  4. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
  5. Add baking soda and stir again.
  6. Pour tea and sugar mixture into large pitcher.
  7. Add 12 cups of ice water and stir until cooled.
  8. Serve over ice.
  9. Makes one gallon of sweet tea.

 

I’d love for you to keep up on my new projects and recipes. You can follow me on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find me on Pinterest, that’s my favorite place to hang out and I’d love to see you there.

Follow Me on Pinterest

yellow-signature

 You may also like:

Copycat Shamrock Shake

Copycat Shamrock Shake

Bake Just Two Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bake Just Two Chocolate Chip Cookies

Linking up with: The 36th Avenue, Tatertots & Jello, I Heart Nap Time, Frugal Girls, Six Sisters Stuff

5 Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights

My five FAVORITE recipes for busy families!

  • Quick to make
  • Light on your budget
  • Easy to clean-up
  • and...most important...absolutely DELICIOUS


Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Pin
Share
Tweet
Yum

Filed Under: Drink, Recipes

Previous Post: « Stenciled Tea Towels
Next Post: Asian-Style Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. brittany

    March 31, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    What does the baking soda do??

    Reply
    • Melissa

      April 4, 2013 at 8:21 am

      Hi Brittany!

      It cuts the acidity of the tea and makes it taste very smooth!

      Reply
  2. Alyssa Rivers

    April 3, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    This looks so refreshing! Great for a warm day like today! Pinned!

    Reply
  3. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon

    April 4, 2013 at 8:17 am

    Ah..the perfect summertime drink Melissa! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  4. Sam M. | Atkinson Drive

    April 5, 2013 at 8:49 pm

    This looks delicious! I would love for you to join the Pinworthy Projects link party! http://www.atkinsondrive.com/pinworthy-projects-party-week-14/

    Reply
  5. Jenn

    April 6, 2013 at 9:25 am

    I’ve never tried sweet tea but I will have to give this a whirl! 😉

    Reply
    • Gina

      May 10, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      Oh my goodness, nothing screams “I’m not from the South” like saying that you’ve never tried sweet tea!!! haha. Hope you fall in love with it and you’ll soon be saying “ya’ll” to everyone.

      Reply
  6. Kara

    April 9, 2013 at 9:55 am

    I love summer drinks! This is a great take on sweet tea. I also tried this summer drink recipe I saw on Pinterest and loved it, too.
    http://www.funnytummycafe.com/2013/04/01/orange-julius-sunshine-in-a-glass/

    Reply
  7. Mary Ann

    May 6, 2013 at 7:48 am

    If you want perfect ice tea don’t ever use Lipton. It’s bitter and has a bad after taste. Always use Luzianne.

    Reply
    • Mary Ann

      May 6, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Oh and with Lizianne you don’t need baking soda. It’s already smooth.

      Reply
      • Sylvia

        July 14, 2013 at 8:33 am

        You took the words right out of my mouth Mary Ann! Luzianne makes a great tasting tea. I

        Reply
  8. whittney

    May 25, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    What about the family sized tea bags, how many would I use?

    Reply
    • Melissa

      May 28, 2013 at 9:55 am

      I would start with 5 and adjust from there.

      Reply
  9. Ri

    July 19, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Does it matter what kind of Lipton tea I use?

    Reply
  10. Julie

    July 20, 2013 at 8:12 am


    As soon as I saw “secret ingredient” I had to check out the recipe. My family has been putting a pinch of baking soda in tea forever. It really does help make the tea smooth. We always simmered the tea in stead of letting it just sit but I’m gonna give your way a try just to see if there is a difference. Thanks for the recipe!!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      July 22, 2013 at 7:42 am

      That’s interesting! Thank you for sharing! :0)

      Reply
  11. Patricia

    August 2, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    You can skip the baking soda by using Luzianne brand tea, It stays clear.

    Reply
  12. Kimbery

    October 30, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    This is the PERFECT sweet tea recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  13. Shannon Parker

    March 23, 2014 at 9:53 am

    Have to agree… Luzianne is the way to go! It is definitely the best! 🙂

    Reply
    • Debbie

      March 25, 2015 at 12:56 pm

      Well all i have is Great Value brand ice tea brew bags.Guess i leat you’ll know.

      Reply
  14. Kim

    May 8, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    How many tea bags for the gallon sized bags?

    Reply
  15. Bonnie

    January 10, 2015 at 6:38 pm


    I love tea can’t wait to try this, I’ve only known one person who could make the best tea I’ve ever drank. I’m from Texas City Tx it’s good to read you lived here also.

    Reply
  16. Beth Nelligan

    June 14, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    Just wondering why the baking soda? any benefits from that?

    Reply
  17. Ginny

    January 29, 2016 at 10:53 am

    Okay, sounds good, but do I have to use filtered water?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Homemade Peach Iced Tea Recipe - No. 2 Pencil says:
    April 22, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    […] a favorite drink recipe to share that is perfect for those upcoming BBQs. I’ve adapted my sweet tea recipe and created an Easy Homemade Peach Iced Tea Recipe. This Peach Iced Tea is so refreshing and […]

    Reply
  2. Butterfinger Pie - No. 2 Pencil says:
    April 26, 2013 at 10:16 am

    […] may also like: Perfect Sweet Tea Blueberry Cobbler        Linking up with: The 36th Avenue, Tatertots & […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Welcome to No. 2 Pencil where you will find original recipes, fresh craft ideas, and easy home decor ideas.

Read More

5 Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights

My MOST POPULAR dinner recipes for busy nights.

Get them free . . . just sign-up below!

© Copyright 2018 Number 2 Pencil · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · Log in