Sweet iced tea is the national drink of the south. Of course... NASCAR and the makers of Bud Light may argue that. Honestly, sweet tea is about as southern as kudzu and fried green tomatoes. 
The good news is that you can make sweet tea... even if you are living in Boston. We use Red Diamond tea, because it is made right here in Birmingham. You can use any tea~ I think the secret of sweet tea is in the sugar!
The good news is that you can make sweet tea... even if you are living in Boston. We use Red Diamond tea, because it is made right here in Birmingham. You can use any tea~ I think the secret of sweet tea is in the sugar!
To make a gallon of Southern Sweet Tea
4 cups boiling water
2 quart sized tea bags
1 cup sugar
Bring water to a boil. Pour into a heat resistant pitcher. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Add tea bags and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Remove tea bags and fill to the top with fresh water to dilute.
How about some fun iced tea sippers?
Basil Lemon Tea
4-5 slices lemon
1 small bunch fresh basil
Muddle basil and lemon in a tall glass, add ice and fill with sweet tea. This is a fresh citrusy tea that is so refreshing.
Muddle basil and lemon in a tall glass, add ice and fill with sweet tea. This is a fresh citrusy tea that is so refreshing.
Y'all give it a try!
Sandi
15 comments:
Looks refreshing!!
So simple, so Southern, so perfect for summer!
Thanks for the reminder Sandi!
Neat post, Sandi. Yes Ma'am, the sugar has to be added to hot water! That's one of the secrets to excellent sweet tea, isn't it! We don't have Red Diamond tea, here. I like Tetley's but it's hard to find, too. So usually end up with Lusianne. Not sure of the spelling on that one.
We found some green tomatoes at a Farmers Mkt at the lake, over the weekend. Fried some Saturday and again last night! Delish!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
Hmmm will be great for a lovely hot day, remind me what one of those it! Yes foggy and wet here...AGAIN!!!!!!!
Oh thanks for these! I love Sweet Tea. I may be a Yankee but I think I have a bit of Southerner in my heart!
Karla
Oh I could go for a tall icy glass of lemon basil tea right now!!! I think i'll make that today!
I don't say iced...I say ice tea...just a product of my hillbilly raisin' more hillbilly than southern...I do love my ice tea and have used Luzianne teabags for years!
Now one thing I do love and could never get the hang of makin' is lemonade...I love everyone else's but mine...
:)
Lu &1/2 cups~ The Southern refresher!
Pat~ I'm glad to hear you fried some tomatoes. Sometimes they hit the spot.
MrsNesbit~ I'll send you some sunshine!
Karla~ I love your southern heart.
Sara~ the basil is really yummy
Early~ I've never really thought about it... you know it is one long word 'aisedtee' =D
Thanks look great - never having been to the south we don't have a clue about food or drink. I presume our sojourn in savannah will correct that1 LOL
Thanks Pat (and Sandi), I was just going to ask why bother boiling the water. So it's something like simple syrup and tea. I'll try making some today.
Fried green tomatoes *must* be a southern dish as I've never developed a taste for them. However, grandma did fry some up at the end of the growing season just to not waste them. Plus she made some sort of pickle or relish with them too. I thought that was acky tasting as well.
Great post - thanks again for the recipe for sweet tea!
Tea is my favorite drink. So I will definitely be trying this creation.
I have got to say we drink Yorkshire Tea! LOL! Well we would, wouldn't we! LOL!
Thanks for popping by!
Hope you enjoyed the fresh air! LOL!
Yum....and that basil-lemon tea sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing those with us!
Jerry~ You will feel right at home...even though you might not understand a word we are sayin'
Sally~ I bet you granma didn't make em like we do! =D
Cheryl~ The basil is an interesting addition.
MrsNesbit~ I'd be disappointed if you didn't drink Yorkshire Tea.
Andrea~ so refreshing on a hot southern day.
Your teas sound very refreshing and good, even tho I'm not a sweet tea drinker (I'm from the North where we drink it straight). I'd still try your sweet tea.
Jody
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