Copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea Recipe

Copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea Recipe (Easy, Refreshing & Budget-Friendly)

If you’ve ever swung through the McDonald’s drive-thru on a hot afternoon just for that giant cup of icy, golden sweet tea, you are definitely not alone. There’s something about that cold, sweet, smooth tea that hits just right. The good news? You can make a very similar version at home with just a few simple ingredients, no special equipment, and at a fraction of the cost. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make an easy copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea recipe that’s:

Sweet, but not syrupy
Super refreshing and smooth
Perfect for summer cookouts, picnics, or just sipping on the porch

Let’s brew!

A Quick Look at McDonald’s & Their Famous Sweet Tea

McDonald’s is known all across the USA for quick, familiar comfort food—burgers, fries, and of course, big icy drinks. When they brought Sweet Tea onto the menu in many regions, it quickly became a go-to drink, especially in the South. What makes their sweet tea so memorable?

Color: A rich, deep amber that looks beautiful over ice.
Flavor: Strong black tea with a clean, simple sweetness. No fancy flavors, just classic iced tea.
Texture: Smooth and refreshing, especially when poured over a full cup of crunchy ice.
Temperature: Ice-cold—almost shockingly cold—which makes that first sip extra satisfying.

When you take a sip, you get that crisp, slightly tannic black tea flavor first, followed by a wave of sweet, mellow sugar. It’s simple, nostalgic, and honestly kind of comforting. This recipe is a copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea—our best home kitchen version based on taste, not the actual restaurant recipe.

Homemade copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea — smooth, sweet, and refreshing over a full glass of ice

Yield: About 1 gallon (16 servings, 8 fl oz each)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Steep/Chill Time: 1–2 hours (hands-off)
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours

Ingredients

12 cups water, divided (3 cups hot water + 9 cups cold water)
8 regular-size black tea bags (like Lipton, Luzianne, or store brand “Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea”)
1½ to 2 cups granulated sugar (start with 1½ cups; add more if you like it very sweet)
Ice, for serving
Optional: 1 pinch baking soda (helps keep the tea smooth and reduces bitterness)
Optional garnish: Lemon wedges or fresh mint

Approximate Nutrition (Per 8 oz Serving, Based on 2 Cups Sugar)

Calories: ~90
Carbohydrates: ~24 g
Sugar: ~24 g
Fat: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Sodium: 0 mg

(These numbers are estimates and can change based on the amount of sugar you use.)

Step-by-Step: How to Make Copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea

This method keeps things simple and very repeatable, so you can make a big batch anytime.

Step 1: Heat the Water

1. In a large pot or saucepan, bring 3 cups of water just to a boil.

2. Once it reaches a rolling boil, turn off the heat and move the pot off the burner. Food safety tip: Use clean, fresh drinking water. If you’re using tap water that tastes heavily chlorinated, consider filtered water so your tea tastes cleaner.

Step 2: Add the Tea Bags

1. Add your 8 black tea bags to the hot water.

2. If using, sprinkle in a small pinch of baking soda (about 1/16 teaspoon). This can help reduce bitterness and give the tea a smoother feel.

3. Gently push the tea bags under the water with a spoon so they’re fully submerged.

Step 3: Steep the Tea

1. Cover the pot with a lid.

2. Let the tea steep for 10–15 minutes.

10 minutes = milder tea
15 minutes = stronger tea, closer to typical fast-food strength

3. Avoid squeezing the tea bags. That can release more bitterness. Just let them soak and do the work.

Step 4: Sweeten While It’s Hot

1. Carefully remove the tea bags and discard them.

2. While the tea concentrate is still very warm, stir in 1½ to 2 cups of sugar.

3. Stir slowly until the sugar is completely dissolved—no gritty bits at the bottom. Hot tea dissolves sugar much better than cold tea, which gives you that smooth McDonald’s-style sweet tea sweetness.

Step 5: Dilute with Cold Water

1. Pour the sweet tea concentrate into a large pitcher (at least 1 gallon size).

2. Add 9 cups of cold water.

3. Stir well to combine. Taste a spoonful. If you want it:

Stronger: Add 1 fewer cup of water next time or use 1–2 more tea bags.
Sweeter: Add another ¼–½ cup sugar while it’s still slightly warm and stir to dissolve.

Step 6: Chill Thoroughly

1. Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until very cold.

2. For best flavor, chill 2–4 hours or overnight. The tea mellows as it chills.

Food safety tip: Don’t leave your tea sitting at room temperature for more than 8 hours. Bacteria can grow in brewed tea that’s left warm for too long. Once it cools a bit, move it to the fridge.

Step 7: Serve Over Ice

1. Fill a glass all the way to the top with ice.

2. Pour your homemade sweet tea over the ice.

3. Add a lemon wedge or a sprig of mint if you like.

Take a sip. If you close your eyes, you may feel like you’re back at the McDonald’s drive-thru—minus the long line.

Tips to Get That “McDonald’s-Style” Iced Tea Feel

Want your copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea to taste and feel even closer to the restaurant version? Try these ideas:

Use simple black tea: Skip flavored, herbal, or “fancy” teas. Basic black tea gives the most classic flavor.
Serve super cold: Fill your glass all the way with ice, then pour the tea. It should be almost shockingly cold.
Don’t skip the chill time: Freshly brewed tea can taste a bit sharp. Chilling helps it smooth out.
Make it in advance: Brew your tea in the morning for afternoon sipping. The flavor is better after it rests.

Even Easier Method for Busy Days

Need something seriously low-effort? Here’s a “lazy day” version that still hits the spot.

Simple No-Boil Pitcher Method

8 black tea bags
2 cups hot tap water (as hot as it gets)
1½–2 cups sugar
10–11 cups cold water

In a large heat-safe measuring cup, add tea bags and hot tap water. Let steep 20–30 minutes.
Remove tea bags and stir in sugar until dissolved.
Pour into a 1-gallon pitcher and top off with cold water.
Chill and serve over ice.

This won’t be quite as strong as the boiled version, but it’s quick, uses everyday tools, and still gives you a refreshing glass of homemade sweet tea.

Variations & Customizations

Once you’ve nailed the basic copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea recipe, you can easily adjust it to your taste or dietary needs.

Less Sugar / “Light” Sweet Tea

Use ¾ to 1 cup sugar instead of 1½–2 cups for a lightly sweet version.
Or make a mix: half sweet tea, half unsweetened brewed tea.

Lower Carb or No Sugar Added

If you’re watching sugar:

Swap sugar with a zero-calorie sweetener that measures like sugar (such as some brands of erythritol/stevia blends).
Start with less, then taste and add more—these can taste sweeter than sugar.

Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo

The great thing about sweet tea is that it’s already very simple:

Vegan: Use regular granulated sugar or a vegan-certified brand. Many are vegan by default, but check if needed.
Dairy-free: There is no dairy in this recipe.
Gluten-free: Tea and plain sugar are typically gluten-free. Check labels if you are highly sensitive.
Paleo-style: Replace white sugar with honey or coconut sugar, adding to taste while the tea is warm so it dissolves.

Caffeine-Free Version

If you’re sensitive to caffeine or want a kid-friendly evening drink:

Use decaf black tea bags instead of regular.
Everything else stays the same.

How to Store Your Sweet Tea Safely

For the best flavor and food safety, keep these tips in mind:

Refrigerate promptly: Once your tea has cooled a bit, put it in the fridge. Don’t leave it out all day.
Use within 3–4 days: After that, the flavor can go flat, and the tea may not be as safe to drink.
Keep it covered: This helps prevent your tea from picking up fridge odors and keeps it tasting fresh.

If the tea ever smells off, looks cloudy in a strange way, or tastes “funky,” just toss it and make a fresh batch.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

Wondering what to serve with your copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea? Try it with:

Homemade burgers or grilled chicken
Summer BBQ—pulled pork, ribs, or smoked meats
Fried chicken, biscuits, and coleslaw
Picnic-style sandwiches and potato salad

It’s also perfect all by itself, poured into a big insulated tumbler for running errands or heading to kids’ sports games.

Join the Conversation

Have you tried making copycat sweet tea at home before? Do you like it extra sweet, or do you prefer a lighter version? I’d love to hear:

How many tea bags you ended up using
How much sugar tasted “just right” for you
Any fun twists you added (like lemon, mint, or flavored ice cubes)

Drop your thoughts, questions, and tweaks in the comments—and if you enjoyed this copycat McDonald’s Sweet Tea recipe, please share it with a friend or family member who loves a good iced tea. Sharing the recipe helps our Simply Copycat Recipes community grow and keeps more delicious ideas coming.

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Important Disclaimers

This recipe is a homemade copycat inspired by the taste of McDonald’s Sweet Tea. It is not the official McDonald’s recipe. We have no knowledge of their proprietary formulas, ingredients, or methods. Any trademarks or brand names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and descriptive purposes only.

Simply Copycat Recipes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Now, go brew that pitcher of sweet tea and enjoy every ice-cold sip.

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