My method is pretty simple. I use a tea brewer that makes about three quarts. A family-size tea bag is good or 10 single tea bags. If you don't have a brewer simply boil three quarts of water and remove from heat. Throw your tea bags into the water. Allow to steep for one minute and strain over ice.
To sweeten I make a simple syrup because it dissolves so well and disperses into the tea:
Add two cups of water to a small saucepan and pour in one cup of sugar. Do not stir. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for about one minute. You now have a simple syrup. Stir into your tea and chill thoroughly before serving.
Sweet tea is a must at every meal for us here in South Carolina. This is the way I make sweet tea.
Put 4 cups of water in a microwave safe bowl and put in 6 family size Luzianne tea bags. Cook for 6 minutes. while tea is "brewing" in the microwave. Put 1 3/4 cup of sugar into a gallon jug. Once the tea is ready, carefully remove bowl from microwave...it will be hot! Pour the hot tea over the sugar and stir until sugar is dissovled. I take the same bowl with tea bags still inside and fill it back up with cold water, pour that into the jug with the hot tea. repeat several times till the jug is full.
Stir. I drink mine right away with lots of ice.
I don't like to let the tea "steep" as it ends up having a bitter taste.
If you like it more on the sweet side go with 2 cups of sugar. The important thing is to pour the hot tea OVER the sugar and stir well. Then pour in your cold water.
Originally posted by Chef Ken:
To sweeten I make a simple syrup because it dissolves so well and disperses into the tea:
Add two cups of water to a small saucepan and pour in one cup of sugar. Do not stir. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for about one minute. You now have a simple syrup. Stir into your tea and chill thoroughly before serving.
Isn't a "simple syrup" usually equal parts of sugar and water?
Originally posted by Chef Ken:
Yes it is but this recipe is thinner and incorporates better into the tea, also it is almost impossible to ruin it with over boiling.
kthouge had it pretty close, except lose the microwave. Mix the hot tea with the sugar and add cold water. Let it get to room temp. and serve over Ice with a fresh lemon wedge.
Assuming you are referring to me as a Yankee, as far as I know, tea is not native to the south. I am pretty sure it comes from India, Sri Lanka, China, and other exotic places. By the way, that was not my recipe, it was given to me by a chef who was born and raised in Tennessee.
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