Southern sweet tea is a must-have for any cook who wants to be considered a true Southerner. And now, there’s an easy way to make it with your Instant Pot Sweet Tea! This recipe is delicious and straightforward, and you’ll be able to enjoy a refreshing glass of sweet tea in no time. So give this recipe a try today – you won’t regret it!
Instant Pot Sweet Tea is delicious. I am a massive fan of a cold glass of sweet tea. If you are an enormous fan of a perfectly sweetened ice tea with honey and lemon, this is your recipe.
This was a fun recipe. Instant Pot was just done to fool around with the (affiliate link).
I spent many summers visiting my relatives in the South, and we would always sit outside and have a glass of cold sweet tea and a piece of the pie, whether it was pecan or peach pie.
My kids are also huge fans, and there is nothing more budget-friendly than a glass of ice tea. After all, if you purchased this at the store, it would cost you a few dollars, but you are using nothing more than tea bags and water in this recipe.
Instant Pot Sweet Tea
Summertime is a great time for ice tea. There are so many ways to make it, and it’s always refreshing. But sometimes, making ice tea can be a hassle. You have to wait for the water to boil, steep the tea bags, and then wait for it to cool down before drinking it. But with an Instant Pot, you can have freshly brewed ice tea in minutes!
Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot Sweet Tea
- Water
- Tea Bags, Black
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Honey
- Lemon Juice
How To Make Instant Pot Sweet Tea
- Place the water, tea bags, and baking soda in your Instant Pot.
- Place the lid on and seal it.
- Set the manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Let it naturally release.
- Then add the sugar, lemon juice, and honey.
- Pour over ice and let it refrigerate until it’s cold.
Pro Tips Instant Pot Sweet Tea Recipe
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Use Fresh, Quality Tea: Choose high-quality loose leaf tea or tea bags for the best flavor. Black, green, or herbal teas work well for iced tea.
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Water to Tea Ratio: Use the right water to tea ratio. For a stronger tea, use 1 tea bag per cup of water or 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per cup of water.
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Avoid Bitter Tea: To prevent bitterness, avoid over-steeping the tea. Black tea typically steeps for 3-5 minutes, green tea for 2-3 minutes, and herbal tea for 5-7 minutes.
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Quick Release Carefully: When the tea is done brewing, use the quick release method to avoid over-steeping. Be careful when releasing the pressure to avoid splashing.
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Sweeten While Hot: If you prefer sweet tea, add sugar, honey, or other sweeteners while the tea is still hot. This helps the sweetener dissolve more easily.
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Add Fresh Flavors: Enhance your iced tea with fresh ingredients like lemon slices, mint leaves, or fruit for added flavor and a refreshing twist.
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Chill Quickly: To quickly chill your tea, pour it over a pitcher filled with ice. This method, known as “flash chilling,” helps retain the tea’s flavor and aroma.
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Experiment with Flavors: Try different tea blends and flavor combinations. Mixing black tea with a hint of fruit-flavored herbal tea can create a unique and delicious iced tea.
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Use Filtered Water: For the best taste, use filtered water. It helps to eliminate any impurities that could affect the flavor of your tea.
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Serve with Garnishes: Add a slice of lemon, a sprig of mint, or some fresh berries to each glass for a beautiful presentation and an extra burst of flavor.
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Storage: Store any leftover iced tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it in a sealed container to maintain its freshness.
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Avoid Metallic Taste: If using a stainless steel inner pot, remove the tea immediately after brewing to avoid any metallic taste.
Instant Pot Sweet Tea Recipe Faqs
How long should I brew the tea in the Instant Pot? Generally, you should pressure cook the tea for about 4 minutes. This works well for black, green, and herbal teas. However, steeping times can vary based on the type and strength of tea you prefer.
What type of tea can I use for Instant Pot iced tea? You can use any type of tea including black, green, herbal, or even fruit-infused teas. Loose leaf tea or tea bags both work well.
How much tea should I use? Use 1 tea bag per cup of water or 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per cup of water. For a stronger brew, you can increase the amount of tea.
Can I sweeten the tea while it’s brewing? Yes, you can add sweeteners like sugar, honey, or agave syrup to the water before brewing. This helps the sweetener dissolve better.
How do I avoid bitter tea? To avoid bitterness, do not over-steep the tea. Use the quick release method immediately after the pressure cooking time is up to stop the brewing process.
Can I add flavors to the tea while it’s brewing? Yes, you can add slices of lemon, lime, mint leaves, or other herbs and fruits to the water before brewing to infuse additional flavors.
How do I quickly cool the tea? Pour the brewed tea over a pitcher filled with ice to cool it quickly. This is called “flash chilling” and helps retain the tea’s flavor.
How long can I store iced tea in the refrigerator? Iced tea can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I use the “Keep Warm” function to keep the tea hot? It’s best to avoid using the “Keep Warm” function for tea, as it can over-steep and lead to bitterness. Transfer the tea to another container if you want to keep it hot.
Is filtered water necessary for brewing iced tea? While not necessary, using filtered water can improve the taste by eliminating impurities that might affect the flavor of the tea.
Can I use the Instant Pot for cold brew tea? The Instant Pot is typically used for hot brewing. For cold brew, steep tea in cold water in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours.
Can I make sweet tea in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can make sweet tea. Add your desired amount of sugar to the water before brewing. The hot water will help dissolve the sugar better.
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Instant Pot Sweet Tea
Description
Ingredients
- 2 quarts water
- 10 regular tea bags
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey, or to taste
- 1/4 cup lemon juice, adjust to taste
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot, place the water, tea bags and baking soda.
- Place the lid on and seal it.
- Set the manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Let it naturally release.
- Then add the sugar, lemon juice and honey.
- Pour over ice and let it refrigerate until it’s cold.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Pitcher, optional
Nutrition
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