Homemade Sweet Tea Gallon Recipe: Refreshingly Easy!
Whip up a gallon of perfectly sweet and refreshing homemade iced tea with this simple recipe. It's ideal for hot days and easy to customize to your taste.
Equipment
- large pot
- Heatproof measuring cup
- large spoon
- Gallon-size pitcher
- Long spoon
Ingredients
- 4 family-size tea bags black tea bags
- 1 gallon (16 cups) water
- 1 ½ to 2 cups granulated sugar adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda optional, for smoother texture
- Ice for serving
- Lemon slices or mint optional garnish
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a near boil in a large pot. Add tea bags and steep for 10-15 minutes, then remove tea bags.
- While the liquid is warm, stir in sugar and baking soda (if using) until dissolved. Pour this concentrate into a gallon-size pitcher.
- Add the remaining 12 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving over ice with optional garnishes.
Notes
Steep tea in hot water rather than boiling to prevent bitterness. Adjust sugar to taste, starting with 1 ½ cups. Baking soda is optional and aids in creating a smoother texture. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Avoid leaving tea at room temperature to prevent fermentation. Dilute with more cold water if the tea tastes too strong after chilling.