Since June is National Iced Tea month, lets have some Iced Sweet Tea in my sunroom.
WARNING: This post may offend tea snobs! I am definitely not a tea snob.
I use everything from store brand to high end loose tea. If I like it, I'll use it.
I make my sweet iced tea using 8 to 10 bags of lipton tea in a 2 quarts of cold water. I like to make my iced tea with Lipton black tea because, to me, it does not leave a bitter aftertaste. This way of making sweet tea was taught to me by a dear sister in law from Louisiana about 30 years ago. I have been doing it ever since. I've tried different iced tea makers, but have always gone back to this "tried and true" method.
If I am making flavored iced tea I use 8 bags of black, if not flavored, I use 10.
Bigelow's "I Love Lemon" is awesome for lemon flavor tea. I use just two bags of this with the 8 bags of black. I'll add lemons slices or raspberries, or sometimes both.
I also really like Cinnamon Sweet Tea. I use this store brand Sweet Cinnamon Spice.
Again just 2 bags. Today I'm making Sweet Cinnamon Iced Tea.
There they are all in the pan together. Notice I have removed the paper tags. I don't know if it would hurt, I just take them off. Bring it to a good boil.
Then turn off the heat and let them steep for about 20 minutes on the stove. While that is happening I gather everything else I need and go fold a load of laundry (Miss Debbie*).
Sugar, pitcher, colander. I use a cup of sugar and put it in the rubbermaid pitcher. That's important. You don't want to pour almost boiling liquid into a glass pitcher (unless it's pyrex!)
Oops, not a good picture. The colander is directly on top of the rubbermaid and the whole thing is in the sink. Sorry you can't see that. The colander is used to "catch the bags". This step I added myself. I used to fish the bags out with a slotted spoon until one day
I had a better idea, use the colander!
This one fits perfectly on the top of the pitcher. See the sugar on the bottom.
I use a cup. Some people might say "a whole cup?" and others will say "only a cup?"
Make it to your liking and give a really good stir.
The sugar melts guickly in the hot liquid. Looks strong huh?
Yum.
Next add crushed ice and stir it up.
If it's just me, I'll serve right from this pitcher.
But since you are coming over, I'll transfer it to this pretty glass pitcher.
Here you go! Enjoy!
I left June's Tea Time Magazine for you to read while you enjoy your tea. Here's an article about how to make iced green tea. Yummy Yummy and good for you!
Thanks for coming by! I hope you enjoyed our "visit".
*Miss Debbie is my choir director, my sister in christ, my friend, and I just learned that she reads my blog sometimes! I am touched that you read my blog! The little thing about "folding laundry" well, that's an inside joke. We always have laundry to do!
DONT FORGET MY BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY! IT ENDS THIS THURSDAY!
I am joining the following tea parties this week:
http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2012/06/tea-on-deck-for-tea-time-tuesday.html
http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/