The Southern Secret that Makes This Sweet Tea Recipe Worth ‘100 Stars’

I grew up in Texas, and if there’s one thing I know Southerners take seriously, it’s sweet tea. I wouldn’t consider myself the ultimate sweet tea enthusiast—an Arnold Palmer is my preferred summer beverage by far—but, I know a lot of people who are so dedicated to the drink that they think any restaurant without sweet tea on the menu should be illegal. 

And in Georgia, they almost were. In 2003, a bill was introduced that would have made it a crime for restaurants to serve unsweetened iced tea and not offer sweet tea as well. While it was never passed into law, its message is clear: Southerners don’t mess around with sweet tea. 

So, when I stumbled upon a Southerner-approved hack for crystal clear sweet tea in one of our most beloved recipes, I knew it was something I could trust. It might be controversial to some, but with over 1,500 reviews and 4.8 stars, the tea experts have spoken.

A Pinch of Baking Soda is the Secret to Clear Sweet Tea 

If you beg a Southern grandma for her secret sweet tea recipe, it is likely that she will tell you to start with a pinch of an unexpected ingredient: baking soda. This is because a tiny bit of baking soda sprinkled at the bottom of your pitcher is said to make the tea taste smoother and reduce bitterness. 

Baking soda neutralizes black tea’s naturally occurring tannins—the chemical compounds that can be responsible for tea’s murky appearance and bitterness—bringing out the sweet flavors instead.

“I would give this recipe 100 stars if I could!!!” one user commented. “I double this recipe and make a gallon of sweet joy!!”

Another user added that, after discovering this recipe, they made it so many times that they lost count. “Game changer!” said another recipe follower, noting that despite living in the South for years, they could never figure out how to make their tea as clear as a restaurant’s. It turns out it was in their pantry all along.

How to Make the Perfect Sweet Tea 

Of course, baking soda isn’t the only trick to our Smooth Sweet Tea—especially since it seems the bigger conversation surrounding the “perfect” recipe is about the amount of sugar to use. Everyone has their own (sometimes very strong) opinions on the correct tea-to-sugar ratio—for example, this recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar to six tea bags. However, the advantage of making your own tea is that you can pick the perfect level of sweetness for you.

To properly mix in the sugar, I frequently see our recipe’s method of stirring in the sugar while the tea is hot—rather than making a simple syrup. Additionally, instead of adding ice immediately, you’ll want to put the tea in the fridge to chill for a few hours. Then, add ice when you’re ready to have a glass—that way your tea won’t be watered down by the time you are ready to drink it. 

Whether you are an avid sweet tea drinker who consumes an entire pitcher every day or a newbie to the beloved beverage, this simple tip gets you one step closer to making the perfect glass. All it takes is a sprinkle of baking soda to have a Southerner-approved, smooth beverage ready to remedy your hottest summer day.