Jul 14 2026

Gallon Sweet Tea Recipe

Time30m
Serves16

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

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Ingredients

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Tea Ingredients

Optional Flavoring Ingredients

Method

Brewing the Tea

  1. 1

    Boil Water

    In a large pot, bring 16 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat.

  2. 2

    Add Tea Bags

    Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from heat and add the 8 black tea bags.

  3. 3

    Steep Tea

    Let the tea bags steep in the hot water for about 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.

  4. 4

    Remove Tea Bags

    After steeping, carefully remove the tea bags from the pot and discard them.

Sweetening the Tea

  1. 5

    Add Sugar

    While the tea is still warm, stir in 2 cups of granulated sugar until fully dissolved.

  2. 6

    Add Baking Soda

    Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the tea. This will help reduce bitterness and enhance the flavor.

Cooling and Serving

  1. 7

    Cool the Tea

    Allow the sweet tea to cool down to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer it to a gallon-sized pitcher.

  2. 8

    Refrigerate

    Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-4 hours, or until cold.

  3. 9

    Serve

    Serve the sweet tea over ice in glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.

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