Sweet Tea

If you’re from the South, you already know that sweet tea is more than just a drink—it’s a tradition! Whether you're sipping it through a straw on a hot summer day or pouring a glass to go with a plate of mac and cheese, fried okra, and a slice of grasshopper pie, sweet tea always hits the spot. And it's easy to make yours smooth and perfectly sweet with a smart little trick to avoid bitterness. Believe it or not, the secret ingredient is something you likely already have in the pantry: baking soda!

Why add baking soda to sweet tea?

Baking soda has a naturally high pH. When you add the alkaline ingredient to brewed black tea, it helps neutralize those astringent tannins that coat your mouth and taste bitter. That way, you can enjoy all the complex flavors of the tea, not just tart tannins. Baking soda also helps clarify the drink so your pitcher is crystal clear, not cloudy.

What is the best kind of tea for Southern sweet tea?

You can use your favorite brand of regular black tea bags to brew this recipe. You'll need eight bags for a pitcher. If you feel like adding a hint of fruity flavor, you could swap out one or two black tea bags with a raspberry or citrus tea.

Does sweet tea contain caffeine?

Yes, unless you use decaffeinated tea bags, this sweet tea is caffeinated. One cup of brewed black tea contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine. For comparison, black coffee contains 70 to 140 milligrams per cup.