Perfect Sweet Tea (with a secret ingredient)

I love to try new recipes! I love to browse the food section of Pinterest, in search of something to make with the ingredients I have on hand. That's also a dangerous place for a pregnant woman to browse. Some evenings, I feel I could eat it all.

A few weeks back, I saw a recipe for sweet tea that said it was smoother and more delicious than any sweet tea ever. And I decided to give it a try.

I am trying to drink lots of water - however, every once in a while, sweet tea is a great treat! I'm a southern girl who loves her sweet tea!!

The special recipe came from Craving Comfort. This blogger used to work at a restaurant that made their tea using this secret ingredient. Since the restaurant has closed, she has decided to share the secret with us! It seemed simple and straightforward. Since I like my tea more weak than strong, I decreased the number of tea bags used.

Ingredients: 

• 3 family size tea bags
• 1 quart (4 cups) boiling water
• 3 quarts (12 cups) cool water
• 1 1/2 cups of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (secret ingredient)

Using my favorite gallon pitcher from Pampered Chef, I sprinkled the baking soda into the bottom. After boiling my water, I added one quart over the 3 family size tea bags. I covered the pitcher, letting the tea steep for 15 minutes. 

I then removed the tea bags and added the cup and a half of sugar. I stirred the mixture until all the sugar was dissolved into the hot water. Then, I added the additional 3 quarts of cool water. After stirring the tea, I let it chill in the refrigerator.  

I just love sipping this tea in my thrift store glass over lots of ice. (I found 3 of them on my last Goodwill run for 50 cents each...I am hoping to find more just like them!) And a straw is a must! (read where my straws are left over from here).  

This tea is the smoothest I've tasted. I do think the baking soda takes out some of the bitterness from the tea. If you try it, I think you will fall in love as well! 

Have any of you ever heard of baking soda in your sweet tea? It was a new one to me - however, I will probably never make it without the secret ingredient again.