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How to Make Iced Tea Like Chick fil A: Sweet Tea Recipe

May 11, 2025

6 Mins Read

Chick-fil-A uses Tetley tea bags as the base for their famous sweet tea, which contributes to its distinct flavor profile. Their recipe also includes real cane sugar rather than corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

With just a few simple ingredients and the right technique, you can make a gallon of this refreshing beverage in your own kitchen for a fraction of the restaurant price. Follow our tested recipe for sweet tea that tastes just like the real thing.

Key Takeaways

• Chick-fil-A uses Tetley tea bags and real cane sugar for their famous sweet tea.
• The recipe requires 4 family-sized tea bags steeped for exactly 4 minutes in boiling water.
• You’ll need 2 cups of sugar dissolved in hot tea, then mixed with 8 cups of cold water.
• A pinch of baking soda helps reduce bitterness and creates a smoother taste.
• Homemade Chick-fil-A sweet tea lasts up to five days in the refrigerator when stored properly.

Ingredients Needed to Make Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea

Now that you understand why Chick-fil-A sweet tea stands out from other versions, let’s gather everything you’ll need to make this refreshing drink at home. The key to authentic copycat Chick-fil-A sweet tea is using the right ingredients in the proper amounts.

1. Tea Bags – You’ll need Tetley Iced Tea Family Size Black Tea Bags for the most authentic flavor, though Luzianne or Lipton family-size tea bags work well too. If you only have regular-sized tea bags, use 4-5 bags to match the strength. For an alternative that brews smooth without bitterness, Luzianne Cold Brew Black Iced Tea is the classic Southern choice for homemade sweet tea.
2. Real Cane Sugar – One full cup of granulated white sugar creates that signature sweetness Chick-fil-A is famous for. This amount gives the perfect balance without being too sweet or too bland.
3. Water – You’ll need both hot and cold water for this recipe. The hot water helps dissolve the sugar and steep the tea properly, while cold water cools it down quickly.
4. Baking Soda (Optional) – A small pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) helps reduce bitterness in the tea. This ingredient isn’t strictly necessary but can improve the taste of your homemade sweet tea.
5. Sugar Substitutes (Optional) – For those watching sugar intake, Stevia works well as a replacement (use 1/2 teaspoon to replace 1 cup of sugar). Monk fruit offers another option with a 1:1 substitution ratio.
6. Ice – Plenty of ice cubes make this drink truly refreshing, just like the restaurant version. The ice not only cools the tea but also dilutes it slightly to the perfect strength.
7. Pitcher – A 2-quart (half-gallon) pitcher provides enough space to mix and store your sweet tea. Glass pitchers work best as they don’t retain flavors from previous drinks.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea

Making Chick-fil-A sweet tea at home saves money and satisfies your craving for this Southern classic. Follow these simple steps to create that perfect copycat Chick-fil-A sweet tea recipe in your own kitchen.

1. Fill a large 6-quart pot with 8 cups of water and place it on your stove.
2. Turn the heat to high and bring the water to a rolling boil.
3. Once boiling, turn off the heat completely and let the water sit for 30 seconds to cool slightly.
4. Add 4 family-sized tea bags (Lipton works great) to the hot water.
5. Allow the tea to steep for exactly 4 minutes for optimal flavor.
6. Remove and discard the tea bags after steeping to prevent bitterness.
7. Add 2 cups of sugar to the hot tea mixture while it’s still warm.
8. Stir thoroughly until all sugar dissolves completely in the hot tea.
9. Pour 8 cups of cold water into the sweetened tea mixture.
10. Mix everything well to create a balanced sweet tea flavor.
11. Let the tea cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
12. Transfer the tea to a gallon-sized pitcher for easy serving.
13. Chill the sweet tea in your refrigerator for at least 1 hour before enjoying.
14. Serve over ice in tall glasses for the authentic Chick-fil-A experience.

These steps will give you that signature sweet tea taste that makes Chick-fil-A drinks so popular. Next, we’ll explore some expert tips to perfect your sweet tea even further.

Budget Everyday Iced Tea

Lipton Black Tea Bags (100 Count)

The familiar, affordable workhorse that makes consistent sweet tea every single time.

If you're brewing sweet tea regularly, value matters. This 100-bag box gives you enough for about 20 pitchers, and Lipton's classic flavor is what most people picture when they think of iced tea. The bags work equally well for hot or cold brewing, so you can use the hot-steep method the recipe calls for.

⚠️ Skip this if you're chasing artisan tea flavor. Lipton is the comfortable familiar taste you probably grew up with, not a revelation—and that's exactly the point for a copycat recipe.

Our Verdict Check Price (paid link)

Tips for Achieving the Perfect Sweet Tea Flavor

To achieve that signature Chick-fil-A sweet tea flavor, use Tetley Iced Tea Family Size Black Tea Bags for the best results. The steeping time matters greatly – keep it between 4-7 minutes to extract full flavor without creating bitter notes.

Always dissolve your 2 cups of sugar while the tea remains warm, as this ensures complete mixing throughout the liquid. Many home brewers miss the importance of proper dilution, but adding exactly 8 cups of cold water creates that perfect balance of sweetness and tea strength.

A pinch of baking soda can reduce acidity and create a smoother taste in your sweet iced tea. For special occasions, consider adding fresh lemon slices or mint leaves as garnishes to enhance the presentation.

The water quality affects the final taste too – if your tap water has a strong mineral content, filtered water might yield better results. Serve your homemade sweet tea over plenty of ice in a 2-quart pitcher for the authentic Chick-fil-A experience that rivals what you’d pay $1.00 a gallon for at the restaurant.

Conclusion

Making Chick-fil-A sweet tea at home saves money while delivering that signature smooth flavor you crave. With just Tetley tea bags, sugar, and water, you can create this Southern classic in your kitchen.

Your friends will ask for your secret when you serve this perfect sweet tea alongside fried chicken or ribs. Store your homemade brew in the fridge for up to five days in a covered container. These 1-gallon square glass storage jars maximize fridge space while keeping a full batch fresh.

Now you can enjoy this refreshing drink anytime without waiting in the drive-thru line!

For more expert tea-making tips, check out our guide on how to make tea like a pro.

FAQs

1. What ingredients do I need for a copycat Chick fil A sweet tea recipe?

You need 2 Lipton family size tea bags, 1 cup of sugar (or less if you prefer), 4 cups of hot water, and cold water to fill a 2 quart pitcher. Some recipes also call for a pinch of baking soda to reduce bitterness.

2. How do I make Chick fil A sweet tea at home?

First, boil 4 cups of water in a small pot. Add tea bags and let steep for 5-8 minutes. Remove the bags, add sugar while the tea is hot, and stir until dissolved. Pour the hot tea into a pitcher and add cold water to fill.

3. Can I make Chick-fil-A tea with less sugar?

Yes! The original recipe calls for a full cup of sugar, but you can use a little less sugar to suit your taste. Many home cooks find that 3/4 cup still gives that signature sweet flavor.

4. What brand of tea does Chick fil A use?

Chick fil A uses a commercial tea, but for home recipes, Lipton family-sized black tea bags work best. Two family-sized bags per half gallon will give you that rich tea flavor that makes their sweet tea so popular.

5. Can I make unsweetened tea using this method?

Absolutely. Just skip adding the sugar after the tea is steeping. You can also make half sweet and half unsweetened by dividing the tea before adding sugar.

6. How can I make Chick fil A tea lemonade?

To make their popular tea lemonade, mix 2/3 of your homemade sweet tea with 1/3 lemonade. This refreshing drink is an all-time go-to recipe for summer gatherings and pairs perfectly with chicken sandwiches for dinner.

References

1. https://copykat.com/chick-fil-a-sweet-tea/ (2022-07-17)
2. https://www.thefrugalnavywife.com/copycat-chick-fil-a-sweet-tea-recipe/ (2018-04-27)
3. https://spoonuniversity.com/school/ole-miss/this-copycat-chick-fil-a-sweet-tea-recipe-tastes-like-the-real-thing/
4. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sweet-tea-recipe (2024-09-16)