can you sweeten tea with syrup

My Sweet Tea recipe uses a special secret ingredient for the BEST flavor! It comes together in just 15 minutes and can be enjoyed right away–no waiting required. Recipe includes a how-to video!

Why You’ll Love My Recipe:

• Can be poured over ice immediately–no waiting required!
• Uses a “secret” ingredient that enhances the flavor (you probably already use it if you’re from the south!).
• Is perfectly sweet without being knock-you-in-the-face-make-you-sick sweet, like some versions are.
• Makes a half-gallon of tea, but can easily be doubled to make more!

My sweet tea recipe has an incredible flavor despite being uncomplicated. Here’s what you need to make it:

• Baking soda. I know, I know–it may seem weird to add baking soda to iced tea, but trust me! Baking soda gives the tea a deeper, smoother, more rounded flavor. Some people will say it makes no difference or is merely added for aesthetic reasons (to keep the tea from getting cloudy), but that is absolutely not the case! Baking soda changes the flavor in such a profound way that my little sister (and biggest sweet tea aficionado that I know) exclaimed “This is the best sweet tea I’ve ever tasted!” when trying a sip. The majority of my blind taste-testers agreed; the pitcher made with baking soda simply tasted better and “more like sweet tea” than the one without. If you really must leave it out, you can, but I can promise your tea won’t taste nearly as good.
• Black tea. Use a regular-sized (not the large ones for iced tea), unflavored black tea bags, like Lipton, Tetley, or Red Rose. I recommend steeping the tea bags for a maximum of 10 minutes; steeping for longer will produce a stronger tea, but can also make it bitter. You also don’t want to squeeze the tea bags for the same reason.
• Sugar. You can’t have sweet tea without sugar! My recipe involves dissolving the sugar to create a simple syrup instead of just adding it in at the end; this ensures a tea that is smoother and more evenly flavored.
• Lemon juice. Adding lemon juice is optional, but I highly recommend it. It makes for a more flavorful tea with just the right amount of tart to balance the sweetness.

SAM’S TIP: Make sure the pitcher you’re using is heat-safe! Some glass pitchers will shatter with hot liquids, and since the tea is still very warm when we add it to the pitcher, you want to be sure yours can handle it.

Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!

An Ice-Cold Glass of Sunshine

Sweet tea is a quintessential summer drink in the north and a year-round, staple beverage in the south. While you can find it in pretty much any restaurant or easily make it at home, a truly excellent sweet tea can be hard to come by. I did lots of testing to come up with the BEST sweet tea recipe, and all of my taste testers agreed–this is it!

Many recipes have you stir the sugar in at the end, but I’ve found that creating a simple syrup first and then steeping the tea in the hot (not boiling) syrup not only creates a better, more even flavor, but it also saves time (and dishes!). I still recommend stirring the tea before pouring, but you now won’t have to worry about undissolved sugar granules.

Serve this at your next cookout alongside some cornbread and deviled eggs and you’ll have a little slice of the south in your own backyard!

Sweet Tea Concentrate

FAQ

Can you use syrup as a sweetener for tea?

Can syrup be added to tea?

What can I put in my tea instead of sugar?

Can You sweeten iced tea with simple syrup?

You can easily sweeten iced tea at home by adding plain simple syrup to taste. Many people use a few teaspoons per serving. However, it’s also possible to sweeten your tea and other cold drinks with flavored simple syrup. For example, you could sweeten an iced black tea with chai simple syrup . But why stop there?

Is it beneficial to add cinnamon to tea?

Adding cinnamon to tea is a good option because in addition to adding its aroma and flavor, it can also bring health benefits since cinnamon is known for its antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant and gastroprotective properties.

How to sweeten tea quickly without compromising flavor?

Here are some tips on how to sweeten tea quickly without compromising flavor: Use a sweetener that easily dissolves, such as simple syrup or honey. Use a sweetener that is already in liquid form, such as agave nectar or fruit juice, to avoid having to stir in granulated sugar.

Can you use maple syrup to sweeten tea?

You can use maple syrup to sweeten hot or cold tea. However, dark maple syrup works best in hot tea beverages. Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from plants. It is 100 times sweeter than refined sugar, but has zero calories. Stevia does not taste like sugar. Its sweetness is a delayed flavor.