{"id":"sweet_tea_d8b38ec54a","slug":"southern-sweet-tea","title":"Southern Sweet Tea","description":"A classic, refreshing Southern American staple—chilled black tea perfectly sweetened and served over ice with a hint of lemon.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":22,"activeMinutes":7},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"4 cups water (for boiling)","name":"Water","quantity":946,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"for boiling","group":"Tea Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"6 black tea bags","name":"Black Tea","quantity":6,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"piece","form":"bags","notes":"black tea","group":"Tea Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 pinch baking soda","name":"Baking Soda","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"helps keep tea clear","group":"Tea Base","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cup granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"adjust to taste","group":"Sweetener","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 cups cold water","name":"Cold Water","quantity":946,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"cold filtered","group":"Dilution","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 lemon, sliced","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"for garnish","group":"Garnish","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Bring 4 cups (946 ml) of water to a rolling boil at 212°F (100°C).","group":"Steeping","title":"Bring 4 cups of water","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Steeping"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Remove the boiling water from heat. Add the tea bags and a pinch of baking soda. Let it steep for 15 minutes.","group":"Steeping","title":"Remove the boiling water from heat","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Steeping"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Carefully remove the tea bags without squeezing them. Pour in the sugar and stir until completely dissolved while the tea is still hot.","group":"Sweetening","title":"Carefully remove the tea bags without squeezing them","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Sweetening"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Pour the sweetened tea concentrate into a large pitcher. Add the 4 cups (946 ml) of cold water and stir to combine.","group":"Dilution","title":"Pour the sweetened tea concentrate","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dilution"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice with lemon slices as garnish.","group":"Serving","title":"Refrigerate until cold","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Adding a pinch of baking soda is a classic Southern secret to keep the tea clear and remove any bitterness from the tannins. For the best flavor, do not squeeze the tea bags when removing them.","cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Southern American"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["steeping","boil"],"equipment":["Large Pitcher","Medium Pot","Stirring Spoon"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free","soy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":2.1,"unit":"l","note":"one large pitcher"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Prepare the tea and keep it refrigerated. Best made a few hours before serving to ensure it is thoroughly chilled."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Serve chilled over fresh ice."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsweet_tea_d8b38ec54a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9ca1edd4-1332-4ba8-92e0-911d724693b4","imageAlt":"Southern Sweet Tea — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["iced tea","sweet tea","southern","refreshing","summer drink"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Southern Sweet Tea","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T19:51:44.823Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T19:51:44.823Z","related":[{"id":"buffalo_sauce_360218fcaf","slug":"buffalo-sauce","title":"Buffalo Sauce","description":"A classic, tangy, and spicy American sauce with a smooth buttery finish, perfect for chicken wings, dips, or as a zesty condiment.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["American"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","keto"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbuffalo_sauce_360218fcaf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3fee78eb-4824-45c9-aa84-75f1b42295a4","imageAlt":"Buffalo Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["buffalo","sauce","spicy","wings","condiment","homemade","american"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":4},{"id":"chipotle_mayo_f2fae484b7","slug":"chipotle-mayo","title":"Chipotle Mayo","description":"A creamy, smoky, and tangy condiment with a spicy kick, perfect for tacos, burgers, or dipping fries.","serves":16,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Tex-Mex"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fchipotle_mayo_f2fae484b7%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=da0d434c-e2d3-47b4-b626-fb33b361a40b","imageAlt":"Chipotle Mayo — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","creamy","chipotle","dip","condiment","tex-mex"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"barbecue_sauce_aae044cb39","slug":"classic-homemade-barbecue-sauce","title":"Classic Homemade Barbecue Sauce","description":"A rich, smoky, and perfectly balanced American BBQ sauce that hits all the right notes of sweet, tangy, and savory. Ideal for ribs, chicken, or as a dipping sauce.","serves":16,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"American","specific":["Kansas City BBQ"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbarbecue_sauce_aae044cb39%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b583593f-fbe8-4fcc-ba60-1a914486d3e5","imageAlt":"Classic Homemade Barbecue Sauce — recipe cover","tags":["bbq sauce","grilling","condiment","homemade","smoky","tangy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5}]}