Southern Sweet Tea – Southern table wine or sweet tea is a staple on any table in the South. Black tea, lots of sugar, lemon, and mint.
Sweet tea is my husband’s beverage of choice. But he doesn’t like how I make it. He likes how his mom makes it. She is southern, I am not. I can’t compete with that. I do not have tea making in my blood. I am a Yankee through and through.
But I happen to know that Yankees can make great tea too. My friend Kim’s mom made the best iced tea ever. I remember many a summer afternoon in NJ being at her house after a day at the beach and guzzling her iced tea. I do not know what made it so good. I think that it had something to do with the pitcher that she made it in. It was metal of some sort and always iced cold. This tea is very similar to that, but I really need to get my hands on a metal pitcher.
I too happen to love sweet tea, but I like it to be not too sweet. This recipe is exactly how I like it. Nothing is better or more refreshing than a tall glass of sweet tea with sliced lemons and sprigs of mint. It reminds me of my time at college in Charleston. Carefree, hot days full of sunshine on the beach.
3 quarts of water
4 cold brew large tea bags
3/4 cups sugar
2 lemons sliced
sprigs of fresh mint
Fill a large container with 3 quarts of water minus one cup. On the stove melt the sugar with the one cup of water.
Add the tea bags and let the tea steep for 30 minutes.
After the tea has steeped, add the sugar mixture.
Add the slices of lemons and give it a good stir.
Pour over ice and add a sprig of fresh mint. Summer in a glass.
Southern Sweet Tea
Southern Sweet Tea is my husband's favorite drink. It's sweet for sure, but the lemon cuts some of the sweetness. Serve with a sprig of fresh mint.
Ingredients
- 3 quarts of water
- 4 cold brew large tea bags
- 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 lemons sliced
- sprigs of fresh mint
Instructions
- Fill a large container with 3 quarts of water minus one cup. On the stove melt the sugar with the one cup of water.
- Add the tea bags and let the tea steep for 30 minutes.
- After the tea has steeped, add the sugar mixture.
- Add the slices of lemons and give it a good stir.
- Pour over ice and add a sprig of fresh mint. Summer in a glass.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g
HASEENA MOTALA
Wednesday 29th of June 2011
hi thanks for the recipe.your pic shows lipton iced tea bags.in south africa we get the lipton tea bags(which we use at home).can i use the same?will be trying it out today with my normal teabags and see how it goes.i have also tried iced tea made with rooibos tea.it is delish.rooibos is a type of herbal tea that is indeginious to south africa and very heathy as it contains no tannin.thanks again
bakedbree
Wednesday 29th of June 2011
Sure, you can use whatever tea you have around.
cpitts313
Saturday 4th of September 2010
I was interested when I saw your recipe as I have lived in the south my entire life. I have always made the family iced tea and many have told me that mine is the best. You got it very close to what I do. However, the differences are - I always use Luzianne brand and use 3 bags instead of 4. I don't use the sun jar but boil some water, turn it off and then steep the bags for about 10 minutes. I add 3/4 cup of sugar to 1 gallon of water. Serve over ice. I have served it with lemon at special occasions but never with mint.
Like you said, everyone has their own way. But I thought it was important to let you know that its the perfect sweetness to have 3/4 cup of sugar to 1 gallon of water and the tea can be as strong or weak as you prefer.
bakedbree
Monday 6th of September 2010
thanks for the tips!
Nicole
Tuesday 20th of July 2010
Mmm love sweet tea...trying to convert my English hubby but he doesn't quite get why it's not hot...
And did you go to CofC?!
bakedbree
Thursday 22nd of July 2010
Yes I did! I graduated in 2000.
Magic of Spice
Wednesday 14th of July 2010
Again, love your photos:) And the tea sounds refreshing...
bakedbree
Sunday 18th of July 2010
thank you... it is perfect on a hot summer day.
Tori
Thursday 8th of July 2010
This looks so yummy!
My mom is a southern cook, and she always makes Southern iced tea by brewing it in a tea kettle on the stove first, then into the fridge! So good and classic.
bakedbree
Thursday 8th of July 2010
Everyone has their own method. It is good and classic.