The Single Ingredient That Makes Sweet Tea Shine
Literally!
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Sweet tea. It’s nothing more than water, sugar, and tea, right? Well, yes and no. If you’ve spent any time in the South, you know that this ever-present drink can range from barely sweetened to so sugary your straw can practically stand up in the glass. Likewise, the strength and type of tea can vary too. It is most commonly made with black tea, but you can use other blends as well.
There’s one other ingredient that we think is essential to making a great pitcher of sweet tea, and it will probably surprise you: baking soda.
Related: 50 Refreshing Drinks You'll Want to Sip All Summer Long
Why You Should Add Baking Soda To Sweet Tea
Cloudy iced tea is perfectly drinkable, but it doesn’t look all that refreshing in a glass. The naturally occurring tannins in brewed tea, especially black tea, can give the beverage a murky appearance. Enter baking soda. Like sunshine on a cloudy day, this pantry staple magically neutralizes the tannins, creating a crystal clear liquid. Some say that baking soda also gives tea a smoother taste due to the lack of tannins, which can be bitter.
When To Add Baking Soda To Sweet Tea
You’ll need to remember two things: add it when the water’s hot, and don’t add a lot. Place a tiny amount of baking soda (in our classic recipe, we recommend ¼ teaspoon for 6 cups of water) in a pitcher with the tea bags, then add the boiling water and sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves and the tea is clear.
Smart Tip
Our best-ever recipe for sweet tea calls for it to be made with 4 cups of boiling water for a double-strength brew. Then, when the tea is done steeping, you stir in 2 cups of cold water. This starts the cooling process before the tea even goes into the refrigerator to chill.
Try It Yourself
Experiment with these recipes and find your favorite
Classic Sweet Tea: Our go-to recipe for the most refreshing—and clear—tea you’ll ever have
Tennessee Fruit Tea: Brew your own tea and combine it with fruit juice for this Southern favorite.
Sweet Tea Mint Julep: No one wants a cloudy cocktail—add a bit of baking soda to the brew.
Watermelon-Basil Sweet Tea: Watermelon simple syrup makes this version perfect for summer.
Related: 50+ Southern Porch Cocktails Begging To Be Your New House Drink
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Read the original article on Southern Living.
