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Home » Recipes » Copycat Recipes

Copycat McAlister’s Sweet Tea

Published: Dec 2, 2020 · Modified: Mar 3, 2024 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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Text that says, "How to make McAlister's Sweet Tea. Secret Ingredient Recipe." Below the text is a photograph of sweet tea in a pitcher next to a glass of sweet tea.
Copycat McAlister's Sweet Tea in a pitcher with a glass of tea next to it.

Are you a fan of McAlister’s and their absolutely amazing sweet tea?! I know that I am. There is just something extra special about their sweet tea. To me, it’s sweet and very smooth. There’s nothing better than a sweet tea on a hot day or if you need a little afternoon pick me up. This copycat McAlister’s sweet tea isn’t your run of the mill copycat recipe, there’s a secret ingredient! I really think if you add the secret ingredient you’ll notice a big difference in this recipe versus just regular sweet tea.

What is the secret ingredient?!

The secret ingredient is baking soda. This actually a vintage tip from the 50s and 60s. It is thought that baking soda will help with the tannins in the tea and also make it less bitter. I think that adding baking soda makes for a way smoother tea. A little will go a long way, so don’t add too much.

What else do I need to make this sweet tea?

Copycat McAlister's Sweet Tea ingredients needed.

To make this copycat sweet tea, you will need black tea bags, white sugar, and baking soda. Just three easy ingredients that you probably already have at home. Any type of regular black tea should do (the box should just say black tea). You will also need a measuring cup, a pot to boil water in, and a large spoon.

How do I make this recipe?

To make this sweet tea, begin by boiling two cups of water. Once the water comes to a boil add the tea bags, turn the heat off, and then move it to an empty burner to cool. Gently stir in ¾ cup of white sugar and ¼ teaspoon baking soda (be careful not to add more than ¼ teaspoon or it will be too much). Stir until the sugar and baking soda dissolve. Again, do not overdo the baking soda. Let the teabags steep for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, add 6 more cups of cool water. Stir well and add to a pitcher. Serve over ice and with a lemon wedge, if desired.

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Copycat McAlister's Sweet Tea

Copycat McAlister’s Sweet Tea

Audrey
Enjoy this amazing sweet tea at home with this easy copycat recipe.
5 from 7 votes
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Prep Time 0 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cups
Calories 72 kcal

Equipment

  • Tea pitcher
  • Large spoon
  • Pot
  • Measuring cup

Ingredients
  

  • 6 black tea bags
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda do not add more than ¼ teaspoon
  • 6 cups cool water

Optional

  • ice
  • lemon wedge

Instructions
 

  • Begin by boiling two cups of water in a pot.
  • Once the water comes to a boil add the tea bags, turn the heat off, and then move it to an empty burner to cool.
  • Gently stir in ¾ cup of white sugar and ¼ teaspoon baking soda (be careful not to add more than ¼ teaspoon or it will be too much).
  • Stir until the sugar and baking soda dissolve. Again, do not overdo the baking soda. Let the teabags steep for 10 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes, add 6 more cups of cool water. Stir well and add to a pitcher.
  • Serve over ice and with a lemon wedge, if desired.

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 19gFat: 0.1gSodium: 34mgPotassium: 0.4mgSugar: 19gCalcium: 0.2mgIron: 0.01mg
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Comments

  1. Ronda Ward says

    March 02, 2024 at 7:30 pm

    5 stars
    Curious! The recipe calls for 6 cups of water. Im wondering if theres a typo. Directions say use 2 cups of water to make the tea. Later you add another 6 cups of water. So.. 8 cups ?
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Audrey says

      March 03, 2024 at 6:01 am

      Hi Ronda, you are correct. 8 cups total.

      Reply
  2. Kerstie says

    November 03, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! Tastes exactly like McAlisters tea!!! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Audrey says

      November 04, 2022 at 10:07 am

      I am so glad you liked the recipe. Thank you for leaving a review!

      Reply
      • Ethan says

        March 18, 2023 at 11:26 am

        5 stars
        I love it and my gf likes it. But she says it is less sweet then McAlister lol, still amazing recipe though

        Reply
        • Audrey says

          March 19, 2023 at 7:32 pm

          Thank you so much for taking time to leave a review! 🙂

          Reply
    • Cary says

      October 18, 2024 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for the recipe; it’s awesome! Question: If you double the recipe, I’m assuming you double everything…even the baking soda?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        October 19, 2024 at 6:17 am

        Hi Cary, yes if you are doubling you can double the baking soda. Just make sure it dissolves well 🙂

        Reply
  3. Harper says

    September 14, 2022 at 10:29 am

    Any particular brand of tea bag?

    Reply
    • Audrey says

      September 14, 2022 at 11:31 am

      I just used a generic store brand. Any brand will work 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jenn says

    January 05, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    Does this call for individual or family-size teabags?

    Reply
    • Two Pink Peonies says

      January 05, 2021 at 6:44 pm

      Hi Jenn, for this recipe use the individual bags.

      Reply
  5. Victor Gonzalez says

    December 07, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    My wife makes this tea without some of these ingredients. I am liking this one better haha. I’ll give her the recipe.

    Reply
  6. Holly says

    December 07, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    5 stars
    If you haven’t had McAlisters tea, you don’t know what you’re missing. Try this recipe pronto!

    Reply
5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Audrey in a red dress holding her young son

Hi, I'm Audrey!

I’m a busy mom who loves to cook, bake, and craft with her kids. Here, you will find tons of recipes like easy weeknight dinners, copycat recipes, cookies, as well as lots of fun craft ideas for kids.

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