Sweet tea has been called the house wine of the south. There are probably some places outside of the south that offer this refreshing drink, but I had no idea that it wasn't a staple in all restaurants until I traveled out west one time and people snickered at me when I tried to order it. I lived in Central America for several years and although they offered sweet tea, it was usually made from a mix rather than brewed directly.
I love tea so much that I can drink unsweetened, hot, herbal, or just about any rendition and I take pride in the fact that I can make a proper cup of British tea, but my first love will always be southern iced tea.
Materials Needed:
1 cup of water per quart of tea you wish to make
1 family size tea bag or 2-3 standard tea bags per quart
tea kettle or saucepan
tea pitcher
sugar (approximately 1/2 cup per quart)
pinch of baking soda
1) To make a tea base, first boil water in a saucepan or tea kettle.
2) Place the tea bags in your tea pitcher and pour the water over them.
3) Allow the tea to steep for about ten minutes. Add a pinch of baking soda to cut the bitterness.
4) Remove the tea bags but don't squeeze them, as this can increase the bitterness.
5) Add sugar to taste and stir.
6) Serve over ice or refrigerate until chilled. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste.
Keep your tea refrigerated to keep it from spoiling.
Note: I do not recommend using a microwave to boil water. Water will not bubble even when at a boiling temperature, so it can become deceptively hot. When moved, it can bubble over and cause burns.
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