If you follow me on Facebook, and you totally should, you probably read about my recent liberation from a certain fast food restaurant’s sweet tea. For a mere ninety-nine cents, I would receive a large foam cup brimming with sweety-cold goodness. My relationship with this lovely, cold drink had been going along smoothly until one day, the sweetness came to a grinding halt.
The cup of “tea” I received was more chipped ice than tea. Needless to say, I was annoyed, but was willing to let it pass. We all have our off days, don’t we?
The next cup of “tea” I received was watery and tasteless. That was it. In my game of baseball, two strikes and you’re out.
After mourning the loss of my refreshing drink, I woke up one morning with an ephiphany: I’ll make my own tea!
Here, dear readers, is the result of my toiling over a hot stove, just for you, so you too can be freed from the tyranny of the varying quality of fast-food tea. Bon appetit!
Sweet Tea
7 tea bags
2 cups hot water
2/3 cup of sugar (any kind)
Pinch of baking soda
3 cups of cold water
Ice
Drop your teabags into a 32 oz Pyrex measuring cup. Heat your water to just below boiling and pour over the teabags. Cover and let steep for about 15 minutes. (I like a nice strong tea). Add the pinch of baking soda to keep your tea from becoming bitter. Add 2/3 cup of sugar (whatever type pleases you) and stir until dissolved. If cool enough, pour into pitcher of your choosing add about 3 cups of cold water, or to taste). Stir, add ice and enjoy.
You may adjust the amount of water to taste, add mint or lemon as it pleases you.
Enjoy!
I’m serious about my sweet tea. Unfortunately, I live west of the Missouri River, so no one out heere knows what that is. If I don’t make it myself, I can’t get it.
(I miss Bojangles.)
I remember sweet tea and drive thru daiquiri places from my time on New Orleans so I know what you mean!