Soft Drinks Recipe

Chill or serve

Keep canned or bottled sodas chilled in a refrigerator at ~38°F (3°C) prior to service. If serving immediately from room temperature, fill a glass with ice and pour the selected soda straight from the can or bottle into the glass.

Open the chosen soda (Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Tropicana Pink Lemonade, or Caffeine Free Mug Root Beer) and pour gently over ice in a serving glass, leaving about 1/2 inch free at the rim to reduce fizz overflow.

Insert a straw and, if desired, a lemon wedge (appropriate with lemon-lime soda, pink lemonade, or iced tea). Serve immediately.

Brew the tea

Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 8 black tea bags. Cover and steep for 5 minutes for a standard strength; steep 7–8 minutes for a stronger brew. Do not over-steep more than 10 minutes to avoid excessive bitterness.

Prepare unsweet tea

After steeping, remove the tea bags and allow the brewed tea to cool slightly. Pour the brewed tea into a pitcher, add 2–3 cups of cold water to adjust strength if desired, then refrigerate until cold (at least 1 hour) or pour immediately over ice for single-serve glasses.

Prepare sweet tea

While the tea is still hot, stir in 1 cup granulated sugar until fully dissolved (for 8 cups). Taste and adjust sweetness; for a less sweet tea start with 3/4 cup. Let the sweetened tea cool, then refrigerate until cold (at least 1 hour) or pour over ice for single-serve.

To serve either tea, fill a glass with ice, pour tea over the ice, garnish with lemon slices if desired, and insert straw. Label or inform guests whether the pitcher is sweetened or unsweetened.

Provide cups, straws, and an ice scoop or tongs to avoid bare-hand contact with ice. Keep opened bottles/cans refrigerated and consume within a few days for best flavor and safety.

If offering multiple beverages buffet-style, arrange sodas and pitchers on a stable surface with clear signage to avoid cross-contamination and help guests select correctly (e.g., 'Sweet Tea' vs 'Unsweet Tea', 'Diet' vs 'Regular').