The Wine of the South

Well, it should be no surprise that I am speakig of Sweet Tea. I have to give credit where credit is due and that is to my Momma. She can make the finest sweet tea there is. Oh, how I love her. Luckily enough, growing up with such a wonderful treat to sip on I learned too how to make such a delightful drink.

Here is the original recipe as follows:

2 Large Family size tea bags (we use lipton, find it gives the best flavor without any bitterness)

Fill any medium size pot, tea kettle ect with about a gallon of water (the great thing about tea is if its too weak, let it steep longer.. and if its too strong, add a little more water).

Place the tea bags INTO the pot/kettle of water.

Place on the stove for a few minutes, just to get a good simmer.

DO NOT LET IT BOIL!

Boiling the tea destroys the integrity of the bags and they will burst .. and you get a pretty nasty flavor of burnt tea leaves. Eww.

Just before it boils, turn the heat off. Move the tea off the burner and let it sit. I like about 30 minutes to create a great flavor.

Pour tea (it will still be warm) into your pitcher with about a cup of sugar. Stir.

Enjoy the wine of the south ladies!

It truely is that easy. As long as I have been making tea I have heard over and over again how so many people are scared and intimidated by making tea.

During the summer months we like to add a little extra something to make our tea that much more yummy:

After we pour the tea off into the pitcher mom (or family member who happens to be standing there with nothing to do) will go up into the yard and get several sprigs of fresh mint leaves.

Just rinse them off and throw them into the pitcher along with a lemon wedge or two.

I can hear the ice clinking in my glass now.

Ahhh. How refreshing.

Everyone MUST go and make a pitcher NOW. It's for your health people. Tea is filled with great anitoxidants and herbs! Yummmm!