18 Southern Living Recipe For Sweet Tea Dive Into Deliciousness!

The Ingredients

Tea Bags

First and foremost, the key to making a delicious batch of sweet tea is using the right tea bags. Black tea is the traditional choice, but you can also use a blend of black and green tea for a unique flavor. Orange pekoe or English breakfast teas are also great options. No matter which type of tea you choose, make sure to use high-quality bags for the best results.

Sugar

As the name suggests, sweet tea is sweetened with sugar. But how much sugar is the right amount? This is where personal preference comes into play. Some people like their sweet tea very sweet, while others prefer a more subtle sweetness. The Southern Living recipe calls for 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar for a gallon of tea, but you can adjust the amount to your liking.

Water

The other main ingredient in sweet tea is, of course, water. It's important to use filtered water to ensure the purest taste. Some people also like to use a mix of hot and cold water when steeping the tea bags to speed up the process.

The Method

Steeping the Tea

To make the perfect sweet tea, you'll need to steep the tea bags in hot water. The Southern Living recipe suggests boiling 4 cups of water and then adding 6 tea bags to it. Allow the tea to steep for 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you want it.

Making the Simple Syrup

While the tea is steeping, you can make the simple syrup. This is a mixture of sugar and water that will sweeten the tea evenly. In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add 1 ½ cups of sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, and then remove from heat.

Combining the Tea and Syrup

Once the tea has steeped and the simple syrup is ready, it's time to combine them. You can use a pitcher or large jar for this step. Pour the steeped tea into the pitcher and then add the simple syrup. Stir well to ensure the sugar is fully dissolved.

Serving and Enjoying

The final step is to add cold water to the pitcher to make a gallon of tea. You can also add some ice cubes to make it extra refreshing. Serve in tall glasses with lemon slices, and enjoy your delicious, homemade sweet tea. In conclusion, the Southern Living recipe for sweet tea is a classic and foolproof way to make the perfect batch of this beloved beverage. With the right ingredients and method, you'll have a refreshing and sweet drink that will keep you cool all summer long. So gather your friends and family, and enjoy a pitcher of sweet tea together.