Sweet Southern Iced Tea

Sweet Southern Iced Tea is the standard beverage you will find on every single dinner table in the South. Spring, Summer, Fall and yes, Winter, it matters not. We serve tea. Iced tea. Sweet Iced tea.  No one can respectably call herself a southern cook,  if she can’t make Sweet Southern Iced Tea. This tradition has been passed down in every southern kitchen I know.

But alas, I’ve noticed of late, more and more people are opting for water with their meals.  I contend that this is only because people haven’t learned the fine art of making a pitcher of Sweet Southern Iced Tea.  I intend to remedy this at once,  with this post.

Even though you may have not been raised in the South,  (we cannot be faulted for where we have been born) you can still redeem the situation and serve the best iced tea on the planet. No, I’m not exaggerating. My husband says it’s so. So in the sad event that your mother was busy with other important things,  like making a living and did not take time to pass along the the fine art of tea making or  if you are a newly wed who needs to know… This post is for you.  Here’s my Sweet Southern Iced Tea recipe.

This recipe will make 2 quarts of tea, but it can easily be doubled to make a gallon. Always begin with cold water. Fill a pot with 6 cups of COLD water. Add 4 single teabags, or 2 family size teabags. I use only Lipton tea.  (Now, for my ice tea secret. shhhhhhhh ) Add 1-2 single bags of Earl Grey Tea. It makes all the difference.

I like to shop for Earl Grey at TJMaxx because you can find gourmet teas without paying gourmet prices. Trust me, the tea will taste so fresh and delightful by adding the Earl Grey.

Bring the water, with the teabags in the pot, just barely to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep. That means just let the tea sit in the hot water for about 15-20 mins.

Take your 2 quart pitcher and place about 1 cup of cold water in the pitcher. You must do this,  because if  you don’t, the hot liquid will crack the pitcher.

Obviously, if your pitcher isn’t glass you don’t have to do this. But, I am of the opinion that tea taste best from a glass pitcher, if not crystal.

To the cup of water add 2/3 cup of sugar.  If for some reason, diabetes and such, you need unsweetened tea, simply leave out the sugar and continue with the directions. It will be delicious unsweetened.  Now add the steeped tea to the pitcher. Stir until sugar is dissolved.  Add additional water to the pot with teabags and then pour into the pitcher until you have enough to fill the pitcher to the top.  Stir.

This is how to make Sweet Southern Iced Tea. Serve over ice. Garnish with mint leaves or lemon wedge, if you like. Enjoy.

Now that you know how and can make tea, you may hold the title of Southern Cook, regardless of where your birth certificate says you were born.  Please pass the tea.