Southern Sweet Tea
A Simple Syrup Sweet Tea Recipe
Growing up, my mom made lots of sweet tea for my dad. She doesn't like it herself, (egads! A southern belle who doesn't like sweet tea!) and truthfully, when I was little, I didn't much care for it either. Somehow though, the taste of it grew on me and by the time I was a teenager, I loved it! It is my favorite summertime drink. To me, there is nothing better on a hot sunny day than a big ol' glass of sweet tea!
Now that I have sung the praises of this yummalicious beverage, I think it is time to share with you the way I make sweet tea. This is a little different than the way my mom makes it, but I prefer to make a simple syrup to mix into my tea first, rather than trying to make sure all my sugar gets melted in the pitcher. It works wonderfully!
Southern Sweet Tea
(for a 1 gallon pitcher)
6-8 tea bags (or 3 family sized bags) - Luzianne brand is best if you can find it
1 cup sugar
4 cups water
Directions:
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, add tea bags, cover, and remove from heat. Let steep 10-15 minutes.
- While tea is steeping, take remaining 1 cup of water, and bring it to a boil in a small pan.
- Add sugar, and stir until it is completely dissolved. (it should be clear, and is now what is called a "simple syrup")
- Remove tea bags from steeping pot, and stir in your simple syrup. Mix well.
- Pour sweetened tea into 1 gallon pitcher, and finish filling with cold water.
- Pour into large glasses filled with ice, and enjoy!
*NOTE* - If you have an aversion to tea due to the bitterness factor, try adding ΒΌ tsp. (a small pinch) of baking soda to the tea before adding the simple syrup. It doesn't change the taste, but will cut back on the bitterness.
Published by Tori Close
Tori is a Christian freelance writer, photographer, and web designer living in the beautiful state of Montana. She is happily married, with two children and two grandbabies whom she adores. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentGood job -- glad you added the tip about the baking soda. It's a great way to rescue tea that you've accidentally let steep too long. (Not that I would ever do such a thing... LOL)
Reading your article made me HAVE to HAVE a glass! I'm diabetic so I've cut way back on any sugar but Stevia' made from the actual plant works good for me. God Bless!