Small-Batch Southern Sweet Tea Concentrate Recipe
If you’ve ever wished you could make just one glass of sweet tea—or enough for a small pitcher without committing to a full gallon—this Southern sweet tea concentrate recipe is for you. It delivers all the smooth, bold flavor of traditional sweet tea but lets you mix up the perfect amount whenever the craving strikes.
Servings: 16 Servings
Calories: 48kcal
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Ingredients
- 3 Family-size Black Tea Bags or 9 regular
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar adjust to taste
- ⅛ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 2 Cups Water
text ingredients
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.2 Cups Water
- Remove from heat and add the family size tea bags to the hot water. Let steep for about 10 minutes, allowing the tea leaves to release a strong iced tea concentrate with robust flavor.3 Family-size Black Tea Bags
- Carefully remove the tea bags and strain mixture if needed.
- While still warm, stir in the pinch of baking soda and 1 cup sugar or your desired amount of sugar to create a smooth sweet tea syrup. This syrupy concentrate is what makes the tea perfectly sweet and refreshing.1 Cup Granulated Sugar, ⅛ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- Pour the concentrate into a mason jar or canning jar and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- To prepare a pitcher of sweet tea, combine 1 part sweet tea concentrate with 3 parts cold water in a large pitcher or gallon pitcher. Add plenty of ice cubes for the perfect chill.
- Garnish with lemon slices, a gentle squeeze of lemon juice, and a few mint leaves for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
How to Use Sweet Tea Concentrate
For one glass (8 oz):
Mix ¼ cup of concentrate with ¾ cup cold water. Stir, add ice, and enjoy!
For a small pitcher (4 servings):
Combine 1 cup of concentrate with 3 cups cold water and ice.
You can adjust the strength to your taste—add more or less water depending on how bold you like your tea.
For one glass (8 oz):
Mix ¼ cup of concentrate with ¾ cup cold water. Stir, add ice, and enjoy!
For a small pitcher (4 servings):
Combine 1 cup of concentrate with 3 cups cold water and ice.
You can adjust the strength to your taste—add more or less water depending on how bold you like your tea.
Nutrition
Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg
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