How to Make Southern Style Sweet Tea

Directions

1. 1
   Place the tea bags and the baking soda into a 4 cup glass shatterproof and heat safe measuring glass.
2. 2
   Pour in the 4 cups of boiling water. You don't have to stir.
3. 3
   Depending on the brand of tea, you need to let it steep for 15-18 minutes. If the brand you choose is a weaker black tea, then you have to steep longer.
4. 4
   Once the time is up. remove the tea bags, and discard.
5. 5
   Stir in the sugar until dissolved.
6. 6
   Place some ice into the hot liquid in the measuring cup to cool it down a bit. Once it's not boiling hot anymore pour into an 8-10 cup capacity heat safe glass pitcher. ( I use the Pyrex jugs of course)!Then you are going to add in the remaining ice and stir until the tea reaches the desired strength.
7. 7
   Remove any extra ice cubes to prevent it from diluting further.
8. 8
   Add in more water if the tea is too strong for you after the ice melts, my tea was strong and I added more water after the ice cubes.
9. 9
   If you like lemon flavor, slice up a lemon and add it to the pitcher and let soak.
10. 10
    Enjoy right away!