Homemade Lemon Sweet Tea: Refreshingly Delicious and Easy
Homemade Lemon Sweet Tea: Refreshingly Delicious and Easy is a practical, flavor-forward homemade lemon sweet tea recipe with clear ingredients and step-by-step instructions. - Yield: Approximately 1 gallon (16 8oz glasses).
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 lemons peels only
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water for simple syrup
- 12 regular size tea bags
- 6 cups water for tea concentrate
- 1 /4 tsp baking soda
- 10 cups water for serving
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare simple syrup: Slice lemon peels. Combine 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add lemon peels and boil for 2-3 minutes until clear. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- Prepare tea concentrate: Boil 6 cups water. Remove from heat and let sit for 1 minute. Add tea bags and steep for 5-6 minutes. Remove tea bags without squeezing. Transfer liquid to a large pitcher.
- Combine mixture: Strain the cooled simple syrup into the pitcher. Add baking soda and 10 cups cold water. Stir well to combine.
- Chill: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until cold.
- Serve: Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices and rosemary.
Notes
- Baking soda neutralizes bitterness caused by tannins; do not use baking powder.
- Allow boiling water to sit for 1 minute before adding tea bags to reduce bitterness.
- Do not squeeze tea bags when removing them.
- Simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks.
- Finished sweet tea should be refrigerated and consumed within 4-7 days.
- Variations: Omit lemon for plain tea. Reduce water for stronger tea. Increase sugar for sweeter tea. Omit dilution water
- Allow boiling water to sit for 1 minute before adding tea bags to reduce bitterness.
- Do not squeeze tea bags when removing them.
- Simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks.
- Finished sweet tea should be refrigerated and consumed within 4-7 days.
- Variations: Omit lemon for plain tea. Reduce water for stronger tea. Increase sugar for sweeter tea. Omit dilution water