Sweet Tea Recipe

Time1h 30m

Serves6

Make Sweet Tea Recipe in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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1
Heat water
Bring 4 cups of the water to a rolling boil in a kettle or saucepan.
2
Steep tea
Place the 6 black tea bags into a large heatproof pitcher. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags, cover the pitcher or place a plate on top, and let steep for 5 to 7 minutes for a strong brew (longer for stronger tea, up to 8 minutes).

3
Dissolve sugar
While the tea steeps, heat the remaining 4 cups of water until warm (not necessarily boiling) and stir in the 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar until fully dissolved to make a simple sweetening water. Alternatively, dissolve the sugar directly into the hot steeped tea.
4
Combine and cool
Remove and discard the tea bags, gently pressing them against the side of the pitcher with a spoon to extract flavor (do not squeeze too hard to avoid bitterness). Pour the sweetened water into the steeped tea, stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (add up to 1 tablespoon more sugar dissolved in a little warm water).

5
Cool to room temperature
Allow the combined tea to come to room temperature (about 15–20 minutes), then refrigerate until well chilled, at least 1 hour.
6
Serve over ice
Fill glasses with ice (about 1/2 to 1 cup ice per glass). Pour the chilled sweet tea over ice. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice from the optional lemon and a lemon slice and a mint sprig for garnish if desired.
7
Storage
Store leftover sweet tea in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir or shake gently before serving because some settling may occur.