How to Make McAlister’s Sweet Tea at Home

McAlister’s Sweet Tea has a way of always hitting the spot.

The mix of strong black tea and granulated sugar gives a smooth flavor that feels refreshing from the very first sip. It’s the perfect compliment to a meal at McAlister’s.

Making McAlister’s Sweet Tea at home is relatively fuss-free. All you need are a few black tea bags, boiling water from a tea kettle, and filtered water in a heat-safe glass pitcher. 

After a quick steep and a good chill in the fridge, you’re good to go. Read on for the full recipe and preparation method.

What Makes McAlister’s Sweet Tea So Good?

McAlister’s knows what they’re doing with sweet tea. The base starts with bold black tea bags made with Orange Pekoe Black Tea leaves, so the flavor never feels flat. 

Each location brews fresh batches every day, so no mystery pitchers are hiding in the back of the fridge. 

White sugar or granulated sugar melts into the warm tea right after the steep, giving the right balance without turning the drink into dessert. Then comes the chill. 

Ice brings it all together, making every sip crisp and smooth. It works with everything from chicken tenders to a fully dressed cheeseburger, and somehow still tastes light enough for a refill or two.

Moderate caffeine keeps the brain awake just enough to avoid a nap at the table, which is always helpful when that refill shows up.

What You’ll Need

A good McAlister’s sweet tea recipe starts with the basics—no fancy gadgets. No stress. Just a few helpful items that make brewing easier and the flavor clean.

You’ll want something to heat the water. A tea kettle is the easiest choice, and it delivers steady boiling water every time. 

Then you’ll need a heat-safe glass pitcher or a large pitcher to hold the tea after steeping. A measuring cup keeps the water and sugar amounts right.

A large spoon ensures the granulated sugar blends into the warm tea without settling to the bottom. Here’s what to grab:

• Black tea bags or Lipton Orange Pekoe Black Tea bags
• White sugar or granulated sugar

Next up, water. Filtered, cool, or cold water all work as long as the taste is clean. Filtered water prevents any odd flavors from sneaking into iced tea.

Everything on this list is simple to store and simple to use. These tools also make future pitchers easier, which is nice when everyone asks for seconds. 

With the right tea bags, a solid pitcher, and a good stir, you’re already most of the way to a refreshing glass poured over ice.

Step-by-Step McAlister’s Sweet Tea Recipe

This is the fun part. With a few easy moves, your kitchen starts to smell like McAlister’s Deli in the best way.

1. Boil the Water

Heat about 4 cups of boiling water in a tea kettle. Hot water gives the tea bags a strong start and helps the sugar melt later. 

Pour the boiling water into a heat-safe glass pitcher and let it settle for a moment before adding anything else.

2. Steep the Tea Bags

Add 6 to 8 black tea bags or Lipton Orange Pekoe Black Tea bags. Let them steep for 6 to 8 minutes. 

This builds a bold but still smooth flavor. Press the tea bags gently against the side of the pitcher with a spoon to release more tea. 

Avoid squeezing hard, because bitterness loves that trick. Remove the tea bags once the time is up.

3. Sweeten the Warm Tea

Pour in ¾  to 1 cup of granulated sugar or white sugar while the tea is still hot. Stir with a large spoon until the sugar completely melts. No one wants crunchy sweet tea.

4. Add Cool Water

After the steeped tea looks rich and clear, top up the pitcher with filtered water or cold water. Bring the volume to around one gallon. This keeps the flavor balanced and ready for chilling.

5. Chill in the Fridge

Refrigerate the pitcher until the tea turns completely cold. Serve poured over ice for that classic iced tea feel. The colder it gets, the smoother it sips.

6. Adjust to Taste

Next time, use one more tea bag for a deeper taste or steep a minute less for a lighter sip. Sugar changes are easy too—half a spoon can make a big difference without pushing things too far.

The hardest part now is waiting for the tea to chill. Luckily, the next sections help pass the time—and make that first glass even better.

Tips to Keep the Flavor Smooth

Good sweet tea can turn rough fast if a few small details slip by, so these simple habits help the flavor stay clean and refreshing.

Steep time matters more than people expect. Leaving tea bags swimming around too long brings bitterness into the pitcher. 

Once the steep ends, those black tea bags should head straight to the trash. Filtered water keeps things tasting like tea, not like the sink.

It prevents odd mineral flavors from distracting from the smooth iced tea experience. A heat-safe glass pitcher also makes a difference. Hot boiling water hits the glass without cracking it, and the tea cools evenly as the pitcher chills.

Once everything blends and the sugar melts, keep the tea cold in the fridge. Cold tea poured over ice stays clear and crisp.

If the tea sits too long, the flavor can fade a bit after a couple of days. So enjoy it while it’s fresh and the ice still clinks happily against the glass.

A chilled pitcher, clean water, and good timing are all that tea needs to taste like a McAlister’s run—without leaving the house.

Fun Add-Ins and Twists

McAlister’s sweet tea tastes great on its own, but adding a little personality makes every glass feel special. Think of these as small upgrades that don’t require fancy skills.

A lemon wedge adds brightness without turning the tea sour. Squeeze a tiny bit or just let it float there looking fancy. Fresh mint also works wonders. One leaf can make iced tea feel like a spa day instead of a Tuesday afternoon.

If you enjoy sweeter tea with zero sugar crunch, switch to simple syrup. It blends smoothly, especially when the tea is already cold. Peach or raspberry syrups bring a fruit twist that feels like a store special.

Start small and taste as you go—a splash can go a long way. Keeping your tea clear when adding extra ingredients is simple. 

Skip the fruit pulp inside the pitcher. Pour any syrup in slowly and stir with a large spoon to help it blend. Chilled tea mixed with cold water stays bright and smooth, rather than turning cloudy.

Feel free to mix things up. One pitcher can stay classic sweet tea, while the next becomes peachy iced tea poured over ice. Every batch can bring a different kind of fun.

Storing and Serving

Your fresh pitcher of McAlister’s sweet tea deserves a little care after all that steeping and stirring. 

Start by placing it in the fridge for at least two hours so the flavor sets and the iced tea fully cools. The cooler it gets, the better it tastes when poured over ice.

Serving is the easy part. Keep the heat-safe glass pitcher right in the fridge door and pour whenever you need a refreshing sip. 

The clinking of ice cubes always makes it feel like a real treat. Sweet tea also loves good food. Some tasty pairings include:

• A juicy burger with all the toppings
• Crispy chicken tenders that need a cool friend
• A fresh salad that calls for something cold on the side

For storage, aim to drink the pitcher within two to three days. Sugar keeps the tea smooth for a while, but the flavor can begin to soften if it hangs around too long.

If your household is filled with iced tea fans, the pitcher probably won’t survive that long anyway.

Cold fridge, plenty of ice, and a meal worth enjoying—that’s how sweet tea shines.

Wrapping up

McAlister’s sweet tea recipe is simple, refreshing, and easy to enjoy at home whenever the mood hits. 

A few black tea bags, granulated sugar, boiling water, and a chill in the fridge are all it takes to get a glass that tastes close to the one served at McAlister’s Deli with a favorite lunch.

Once the pitcher cools and the iced tea is poured over ice, the flavor turns smooth and comforting. It’s a great drink to share at dinner, to sip while relaxing outside, or to have ready for guests who love sweet tea as much as you do.

Try a batch and keep it stocked—running out is the only real problem here!