How to make Southern Sweet Tea

There is sweet tea and then there is Southern Sweet Tea. Born and bred in the land of Dixie, Southern Sweet Tea is my "special-tea". I do a lot of entertaining and for my guest there's one thing I better have on hand and in there's...an ice cold glass of southern sweet tea. Here's how...

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lipton (gallon) tea bag
• 1 1/3 cup of sugar
• water
• ice tea maker or pot

1. If you're using an automatic tea maker fill the jug with cold water to the line indicated. Pour water into the tea maker. If using a pot fill it with about 2 cups of water.

2. For a tea maker don't add ice, instead add 1 1/3 cups of sugar into the jug before placing brew basket on.
   
   If you are brewing your tea with a pot and you don't have a tea jug, any washed out milk or juice jug will work. A funnel will be needed to add sugar and the tea to the jug.

3. Place one gallon size tea bag into the brew basket. Place brew basket on jug and connect it with the ice tea maker. Don't forget to plug it in and turn it on.
   
   If using a pot add 1 gallon size tea bag to water and bring to a rolling boil for 5 minutes then pour over sugar and stir. Once sugar has disolved fill jug with water.

4. When the tea maker automatically shuts off allow a few minutes for the rest of the tea to drip through. Take off brew basket. Careful it will be very hot. Stir tea and sugar. Fill jug with cold water. If boiling tea in a pot and the bag burst, pour tea through a strainer.

Tips & Warnings

• One gallon tea bags are best if used with only a ½ gallon of water. If using a gallon container only fill half way. Most ice tea makers have ½ gallon jugs.

[static404]

on 5/27/2009 I love sweet tea, but I've never made my own. Thanks for the recipe.

[OBigDaddyO]

on 2/22/2009 I grew up on this in Louisiana and Florida. Now, my wife loves it and all I take is lemon in my tea! 5* and recommended!

[mama4joy]

on 1/27/2009 That sounds yummy!! I love sweet tea. My dh likes the instant kind! Can you believe that? ;) haha Oh well to each his own! LOL

[FrazzledNanny]

on 1/22/2009 It's so good to hear someone else likes sweet tea. It seems now days everyone likes suger free tea with one packet of splenda. Give me good ole southern sweet tea any day! 5* RRC

[Ansha]

on 1/13/2009 I have always wanted to know how to make sweet tea, now I have the right proportions. Thanks!