Grandma and her boys

Sunday 9 September 2012

Ever wondered about Amercan sweet tea





While living in USA ......  I always had iced sweet tea in the restaurants  with lemon. I never  could work out how they made it there was always something missing from mine when I made it ....

I tried making "Sun Tea" where you   put tea bags and cool water in a glass jug and set in the sun until brewed sometimes took all day  then refrigerate ...  after adding  sugar and lemon ..... this was good but still not the same.

While scrolling through blogs .....  "Voila" .... I found a blog giving the secret  ingredient ....






Perfect Sweet Tea. (makes 1 gallon)
(Adapted from the Lone Star Steak House)


Ingredients -
5 - 8 Family size Tea Bags. (or 12 regular Lipton Tea Bags)                    
1 Quart (4 Cups) - Boiling Water
3 Quarts (12 cups) - Cool Water
1 1/2 - Cups Sugar.
1/4 teaspoon - Baking Soda (this IS the SECRET Ingredient!!)

                           **********************************
Directions -
1. Sprinkle baking soda into a pitcher 
  Add Tea bags to the pitcher/baking soda,
Pour Boiling water over tea bags,
Cover and allow to steep for 15 minutes.
                    **************************
2. Remove and toss out Tea Bags,
Add Sugar and Stir until completely dissolved.
Add Cool Water.
Refrigerate until cold and ready to drink.
                     ***********************
3. Serve over ice, with a twist of lemon
Take a nice long sip.....      Swoon. ......     Repeat.

Obviously you can make smaller quantities but it will keep a couple of days in the fridge okay.




4 comments:

Fiona said...

Thanks Laurie... I have always loved iced tea and will try this... I always put fruit juice in it to try and get it right!!
Hugz

Anonymous said...

thankyou for sharing Laurie who would've thought baking soda,looks very refreshing.xx

Denise said...

Thank you Laurie for sharing the secret ingredient I will be trying this today.
Happy Stitching
Denise

VelvetMask said...

Does anyone know what baking soda does for the tea that makes it so good? Just curious.