Name: 1 Gallon Sweet Tea Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 4 family-sized black tea bags; 1 gallon (or 16 cups) of water, divided; 2 cup of sugar (or to taste); Lemon wedges, orange slices, or a sprig of mint for garnish

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Sweet tea, the beverage of choice on a hot summer day, is a Southern tradition enjoyed by many. This 1 gallon sweet tea recipe captures that feeling in a glass, perfect for recreating cherished memories and quenching your thirst on a hot summer day.

A glass of iced tea with a lemon wedge on the rim sits on a table next to a bowl filled with lemon slices.

Easy 1 Gallon Sweet Tea Recipe

Remember those lazy summer afternoons, sipping sweet tea on the porch swing as cicadas hummed? That sweet, refreshing taste instantly transports you back to simpler times, filled with laughter and warm sunshine.

This homemade recipe captures that feeling in a glass, perfect for recreating those cherished memories.

Ingredients

TEA BAGS: 4 family-sized black tea bags (Luzianne is a personal favorite Southern brand, but any black tea will do!)
WATER: 1 gallon (or 16 cups) of water, divided
SUGAR: 2 cup of sugar (or to taste, we’ll discuss this later!)
OPTIONAL: Lemon wedges, orange slices, or a sprig of mint for garnish

Kitchen essentials you may need: sauce pan, glass gallon jar, drinking glasses

Four tea bags in a pot of clear boiling water.

A pot of simple syrup for sweet tea on a wooden table.

How to Make a Perfect 1 Gallon Sweet Tea Recipe

BOIL THE WATER: First things first, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot or saucepan for your gallon sweet tea recipe.
STEEP THE TEA: Remove the pot from heat and immediately add the tea bags. Cover the pot and let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes. For a stronger tea, steep for a longer time.
SIMPLE SYRUP: While the tea steeps, prepare a simple syrup by dissolving 2 cups of sugar in 2 cups of hot water in a separate small saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. This ensures your sugar dissolves evenly and avoids a gritty texture in your perfect iced tea.
COMBINE: Remove the tea bags and discard them after steeping. Pour the hot tea into a gallon pitcher.
SWEETEN: Add the prepared simple syrup to the hot tea in the pitcher. Stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness to your personal preference. Remember, you can always add more simple syrup later if needed.
CHILL AND ENJOY: Then, add the remaining 6 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir again. Here’s the most important step: patience! Let the tea cool completely to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours for the flavors to meld.

A pitcher of iced tea on a table. The tea is brown color and the pitcher is made of clear glass.

Recipe Tips

Less sugar? No problem! Many enjoy a less sweet tea. Start with a cup of sugar in your simple syrup and adjust to your preference.
Stronger tea? Use 6 tea bags instead of 4 for a bolder flavor in your 1 gallon sweet tea recipe.
Experiment with flavors: Add a splash of lemon juice, a few slices of fresh fruit, or a sprig of mint for a unique twist.
The “best” amount of sugar? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your taste! Southern-style sweet tea tends to be on the sweeter side, but feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to suit your preference.
Mason jar magic: Want to skip the stovetop altogether? Steep the tea bags in a large mason jar filled with hot water. Follow the same steps from there!
Leftover tea? No worries! Store leftover sweet tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

A tall glass pitcher filled with iced tea sits on a table.

A refreshing glass pitcher of iced tea on a table.

With this easy 1 gallon sweet tea recipe, you’ll be whipping up amazing homemade sweet tea in no time. So grab your favorite pitcher, brew a batch, and enjoy the perfect southern refreshment on a hot summer day.

After all, a refreshing glass of sweet tea is more than just a beverage; it’s a taste of tradition and a reminder of slower, sweeter times.

A tall glass pitcher filled with iced tea sits on a table with a bowl of lemon slices to place on the glass of ice tea.

FAQs

How many tea bags for 1 gallon of sweet tea? This recipe recommends using 4 family-sized black tea bags for a gallon of sweet tea. However, the number of tea bags can be adjusted to your desired strength. Here’s a guideline:

For a gallon of regular sweet tea: Use 4 tea bags.
For a stronger gallon of sweet tea: Use 6 tea bags.

How much sugar for 1 gallon of sweet tea? The amount of sugar for a gallon of sweet tea depends entirely on your personal preference. Southerners tend to enjoy a sweeter tea, but ultimately, it’s up to you! This southern sweet tea recipe uses 2 cups of sugar to create a sweet tea.

More Drink Recipes You May Enjoy

Looking for other refreshing beverages to quench your thirst on a hot day? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Fresh-Squeezed Homemade Lemonade: Ditch the grocery store-bought lemonade and whip up a gallon of the real deal using fresh lemons! This RECIPE allows you to control the sweetness and tartness to your preference.