McDonald’s Sweet Tea

This homemade sweet tea tastes just like McDonald’s! It’s smooth, refreshing, and perfectly sweet. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make it in minutes and enjoy a classic Southern-style iced tea at home.

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 quarts water 
• 3 family-sized tea bags 
• 2 cups sugar 
• ice

How To Make Sweet Tea?

1. Boil the water: Bring 1 quart of water to a boil in a pot.
2. Steep the tea: Add the tea bags and sugar to the hot water. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let the tea steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard the tea bags.
3. Cool the tea: Fill a large pitcher with ice. Pour the warm tea over the ice, then add the remaining 1 quart of water.
4. Chill and serve: Store the tea in the fridge until cold. Serve over ice and enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

• Use fresh water for the best taste: Always use fresh, cold water to boil the tea. Old or stale water can change the flavor.
• Dissolve sugar in hot tea for smooth sweetness: Add sugar while the tea is still hot, so it dissolves completely. This prevents a grainy texture.
• Don’t steep too long to avoid bitterness: Steeping for more than 5 minutes can make the tea taste bitter. Remove the tea bags on time for a smooth flavor.
• Cool the tea before adding ice to prevent dilution: If the tea is too hot, the ice will melt quickly and water down the flavor. Let it cool slightly first.
• Store tea in a glass pitcher for the freshest taste: Plastic containers can absorb flavors over time, which might change the taste of your tea. Use glass if possible.

How To Store Leftovers?

Let the tea cool first. Then, pour it into a pitcher and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before drinking.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 258 kcal
• Total Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 0mg
• Potassium: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 66g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 66g
• Protein: 0g