[Becca]

Anyone have a good old-fashioned Southern sweet tea recipe that they'd like to share? Please?

[KellyChron]

I don't know that you actually need a recipe, but the trick is to make your tea (either on the stove top or in the microwave) and dissolve your sugar into the hot tea. Have your cold water in your pitcher THEN add the tea and sugar mixture. Pouring the tea in last will keep you from getting that funky foam on the top.

The amount of sugar you use is entirely up to you. Some people like their tea sweeter than others, but I think a good estimate would be about 1/3 a cup of sugar to every cup of strong brewed hot tea.

[Durin]

I grew up drinking sweet tea (love it!) and here's the "recipe" my grandmother and mother always used:

In a 1 gallon pitcher, put approximately 1 cup of white granulated sugar.

In a medium to large pot, add approximately 1/2 gallon of water and approximately 6 regular tea bags. Heat until almost boiling and remove from heat. (Don't let it actually come to a boil.) Let sit and steep for several minutes until the tea is dark.

Remove the tea bags and add to the pitcher of sugar. Mix until dissolved. Add cold water to fill the pitcher and continue stirring.

Now, here's the key to good sweet tea: Put this into the refrigerator and let it sit overnight. This gives the sugar time to sweeten the tea. This means some extra planning, but it's well worth it!

Next time you make it, you can adjust the amounts of tea bags and sugar that you use to suit your taste. 2/3 a cup of sugar works fine for our family, but it may not be sweet enough for some.

Kelly, I'm going to notice next time if I'm getting foam, and I may have to change the order in which I add the ingredients. Thanks for the tip!

[Sarah in VA]

Most old southerners I know make a simple syrup with sugar and water which is added to the freshly brewed tea. To do this use:
1 part water
2 parts suger

Mix together in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Take off the heat and cool room temperature. Add desired amount to your tea.

Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator.

Hope you like this.

[Toni L.]

I brew mine in the coffee pot. I put 3 large tea bags for a gallon of tea. I pour the tea in the pitcher, add 1/2 cup sugar, fill the pitcher the rest of the way with water. I don't like really sweet tea. I can't drink it..don't know why...but it is just too sweet for me. =0)

[Becca]

Durin,

I'm trying yours first since it seems like the easiest. I'll let you know how it turns out!

[Becca]

Durin,

I didn't get any foam when I tried your recipe. DH just tried it and his response was "Now, this is TEA." I guess that's a thumbs-up! Thank you!

[Durin]

Yay! I'm glad he likes it!

I'm trying to give up caffiene, so I guess I need to get some decaf tea bags tomorrow. All this talk about sweet tea has given me cravings.

[AmandaFace]

sounds like the way my mom always made sweet tea durin we always have sweet tea in this house!

[goofyemt96]

I make Tea for my DH


I use a Dual sided Coffeemachine one side for his tea the other for my coffee...

I fill it 12 Cups
You use as much sugar as you want I pour that in and he likes lemon in his so i add about 2 Tablespoons or more of that
Mix it then add in the hot tea then i just fill the water till it gets to the top...He has a Gallon Jug! and i have to make it every other day cuz he drinks so much of it....In the summertime i have to make 2 gallons a day!!

[KellyChron]

I will probably be banished from the south for admitting this, but actually hate tea...

I have tried it a zillion and one times, and I still don't like it. I have been a good guest on more than several occations when everyone is served tea... The only reason I even make it is because everyone else seems to think it is tasty. My DH and his family make sweet tea (so, I've had to learn) and my family has always made unsweet, so I've known about it since I was old enough to operate the stove... I don't know why I was so compelled to admit this to you all, except that my MIL sill has to get me a new glass everytime we eat at her house b/c she refuses to remember that I would prefer tap water...