D absolutely loves sweet tea which is funny since we grew up in the North and sweet tea just isn’t the norm. Well, move ahead a few years to when we were living in the South. D started drinking sweet tea, but I didn’t personally know how to make sweet tea. So, it was restricted to when we went out to eat or went to someone’s house that had made sweet tea.
Fast forward again to when we moved to Northern Va… It was not easy to find sweet tea. And no, tea with added sweetener is NOT sweet tea. lol! Once again, I never got around to finding out how to make sweet tea.
Well, yesterday, I decided that I was finally going to make sweet tea for my sweetie. After all, he was working hard on the new deck, so he needed a good refreshment. It turns out, that I can make a good Southern sweet tea. D can now how sweet tea whenever he wants which definitely works for me.
Here’s the recipe that I found over at betterbudgeting.com:
Ingredients:
8-10 tea bags, any kind you like (although I highly recommend Luzianne or Lipton Iced Tea Brew)
Small pot of water, with lid that fits well
1 C of sugar
1 gallon-sized pitcher (or big pickle jar)
Directions:
Add sugar to water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
It doesn’t matter how much water you boil; just make sure it gets really hot and bubbly. If you remembered to put the sugar in already, you’re doing great. Now get your tea bags ready sot hat when the water comes to a boil you can just toss them in.
As soon as you get the tea bags in, the water may act like it’s about to boil over. I usually just add the tea bags in with one hand, and then take the pot off the stove with the other. That way the hot bubbles have a chance to stir up the tea a bit, getting them off to a good brewing start.
Cover the pot and let the tea steep for as long as possible. It will be good in 20 minutes, but even better in an hour or 2. (I steeped for 2 hours). Then pour the tea syrup (that’s what it’s actually called when made this way) into your gallon sized pitcher and fill with water, making sure to gently squeeze the tea bags to get as much tea as possible into the water.
I served the first cup over a large cup of ice for D. He said it was great. Even munchkin liked it, and she doesn’t like sweet tea. I let the rest of the pitcher come to room temp and then put it in the fridge.
Mmm, my hubby and I LOVE sweet tea! And I always hate at restaurants when I ask if they have sweet tea, and they say “We have unsweetened. There’s sugar on the table.” So NOT the same! Tea’s gotta be HOT for the sugar to dissolve! So your tea sounds delicious, especially on a sunny day like today!
I am drinking some right now! Adding sugar to cold tea is just NOT the same. LOVE MY SWEET TEA!!
Linda
Jesus drinks sweet tea…I’m just sure it!
Oh my word, girl! Trust me, sweet southern tea does not have to be that complicated!
I buy Luzianne or Lipton family sized tea bags (I think Luzianne is a little better, but it’s a personal taste thing.) For 2 quarts I use two bags, for 4 quarts I use three.
In a teakettle I boil 3-4 cups of water and once it’s boiling I pour it into my pitcher. I add my tea bags and let them steep for about 5 minutes. (I never time it I just judge by color.)
Then I remove the tea bags and add 3/4 cup of sugar for each 2 quarts (so a cup and a half per gallon.)
I stir until the sugar is dissolved and then fill the rest of the pitcher with ice and cold water. Yum!
The tea seems to get sweeter as it sits so it is often better the second day – if it lasts that long!!
Have a great day!
Sounds delicious. But I’m quite boring – water honestly is my drink of choice!
Proverbs31: lol! I think the directions sound more complicated than it really is. All I did was make boiling sugar water (same as you boiled your water) and added the tea bags. No more complicated than what you do. 😉
Yeah, but those directions tell you to let is steep for HOURS. I could never wait that long!! =P
Glad you like sweet tea, though. It’s a regular around our house. 🙂
I’m so excited…I’ve been wanting to make sweet tea for some time and have never tried! You are the best!! Now, I can drink some sweet tea and enjoy homemade salsa! BTW, when were you in N. Va ?? We just moved from there ~ Quantico, to be exact. Thanks again!!
When I first moved to Texas I was shocked to find out that you couldn’t find sweet tea at most restaurants (now at least you can at some of the fast food joints). I love me some sweet tea!! My husband always wishes that mine tasted like my Granny’s, and I never succeed. I’ll try your recipe!
Found you via Shannon’s WFMW and HAD to click the sweet tea link. I don’t cook, but I’m known for my sweet tea. 🙂 You & Prov.31 got it right – you have to add the sugar to the water/tea when it’s hot or it’s just not the same. I’ll have to try your recipe sometime.
Being raised in the south, it is so crazy to think you didn’t have sweet tea growing up! The key to great sweet tea is real sugar! MMMMMMM!
Nice to meet you! I’m over fr/ WFMW.