Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Southern Sweet Tea



Photobucket

Okay, so I have been blogging for almost a year now and I have yet to post my sweet tea recipe. Actually, I just really didn't like the pitcher I owned so I finally got a decent one so I figured it was picture worthy. ha ha. Anyway...growing up down south, sweet tea is a staple in every home and restaurant. No powdered crapola here! There's nothing more refreshing than an ice cold glass of freshly brewed southern sweet tea! If you want to know a great recipe, here ya go...super easy and delicious! We make a pitcher of this every single day...like I said, it's a staple in every southern home. Enjoy!

For 2 quart pitcher (1/2 gallon):

2 Lipton Family size tea bags
1 qt water
ice cubes (or 1 qt water)
2 cups sugar (or Splenda for diet)

For 1 gallon pitcher (4 quarts)
4 Lipton Family size tea bags
2 quarts water
ice cubes (or 2 quarts water)
4 cups sugar (or Splenda for diet)


First you'll want to fill your teapot or a sauce pan with water. I use a teapot and don't really measure. If I am making a gallon pitcher, though, I fill the teapot all the way. Bring the water to a boil.


Next, pour the water in the pitcher. I usually fill it half, to a little more than halfway.



Add the teabags and let steep for about 7-8 minutes. Set the timer so you don't forget!


Using a spoon squeeze the teabags gently and discard. 


Add sugar and stir. It is important to add the sugar at this stage because the hot tea helps the sugar dissolve. Otherwise, the sugar will just sink to the bottom. Stir until dissolved. We use splenda, trying to watch our figures...ha ha. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar, but remember...it isn't "sweet tea" if it ain't sweet!


Next, add ice cubes to the pitcher to fill it the rest of the way up. Once you have added the ice stir it with a spoon until most of the ice cubes have melted.
 

Voila! Southern Sweet Tea! Pour it over a glass of ice and enjoy! Use a mason jar and close your eyes and you'll feel like your under the southern sun. 



20 comments:

  1. Tanya@Moms Small VictoriesJuly 3, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Love sweet tea! New GFC follower and visiting from SITS!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Should Be CleaningJuly 3, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    Awesome thanks for sharing! My husband loves sweet tea and this will be perfect for the 4th of July!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks! Hope it turns out good for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm fairly certain that's the same recipe my grandma used, and I loved it! Thanks for posting that, now we can all enjoy some southern sweet tea!
    Stopping in from SITS, hope you have an amazing 4th of July!
    Tara
    Nowhere to go but crazy
    http://www.taradennyimages.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tara! Happy 4th to you too! Hope you enjoy some sweaty tea today:)

      Delete
  5. Thanks for the recipe! I will be trying it soon! I am stopping in from SITS again! I am already a follower :) I hope you have a happy 4th!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Up here in Canada, making REAL iced tea wasn't a 'thing' - but I remember my Mom making this huge jar of 'sun' tea with tea bags in the sun for a day and then adding sugar and ice cubes... SOOO much better than any powdered 'crapola' - I agree! Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hey Samantha, my mother in law makes sun tea too and adds frozen orange juice...it's really delicious...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for stopping by, Tara! I hope you have a great 4th too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Ashley! Let me know how it turns out :) Happy 4th to you too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ok Jessica - the fact that you make southern sweet tea here in Philly makes me adore you even more! :) BTW - the pitcher is gorgeous :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love tea! I'll have to try this recipe! And I think it's hilarious that you put off sharing your recipe because of an ugly pitcher..I'd totally do the same thing! ;)

    I've been a follower for a few weeks..would love to swap buttons if you're interested! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey Holly, I can't seem to find your blog address :) Post it in a comment..K? And Thanks for following!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks, Aly! what part of the city are you in?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sweet iced tea is such a must during this hot summer! There's just the two of us at my home, but we go through about a gallon a day. I only use about 1/2 a cup or 1 cup of sugar per gallon though, so it's just "slightly sweet"

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ooooh sounds (and looks) delicious! Beautiful pitcher and I love drinks in jars :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love sweet tea! I'm going to have to try this recipe!

    Stopping by from SITS.

    ReplyDelete
  17. It looks so refreshing. Can't wait to try it.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...