Better Than Mc Donald's Sweet Tea Recipe

Get ready to ditch your iced tea brewer! This Southern-style sweet tea recipe is so unbelievably good, you'll drink pitcher after pitcher. The secret? Baking soda! This unique method creates a depth of flavor that surpasses all others. Using a specific type of black tea (though substitutions are possible), combined with our foolproof process, yields an authentic, refreshingly sweet tea that's perfect for hot days and any occasion. Dare to compare – this tea recipe is fit for royalty!

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 96.8 kcal
Protein 0g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
Better Than Mc Donald's Sweet Tea 13

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Better Than Mc Donald's Sweet Tea

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Better Than Mc Donald's Sweet Tea? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Better Than Mc Donald's Sweet Tea

  1. Place 6-8 black tea bags (e.g., Tetley, Lipton, or your preferred brand) in a 4-cup glass measuring cup.
  2. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
  3. Fill the measuring cup with water, exceeding the 4-cup line to approximately 4 1/4 cups.
  4. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and let steep for 15 minutes.
  5. Remove and discard the tea bags.
  6. In a separate large pitcher, add 1 ½ cups granulated sugar.
  7. Pour the hot tea concentrate from the measuring cup into the pitcher with the sugar.
  8. Stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  9. Add ice to the pitcher until filled.
  10. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

4 g

Sugar

99g

Fat

0g

Carbs

8g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)