Sweet Tea

You can't have Southern BBQ without an ice cold glass of sweet tea.  This post is for anyone who wants a quick and easy way to make iced tea.  Despite my Southern roots, I prefer a mild tea that is slightly sweetened vs a strong, syrupy sweet tea.  Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar to your taste or let the tea brew longer for a stronger flavor.

I use a 1 quart glass measuring cup to make my tea.  If you don't have one handy you can brew the tea in a saucepan on the stovetop. Just be careful not to bring it to a rolling boil.

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

4 cups water

2 family-size tea bags

2/3 cup Sugar
Additional water to fill one gallon pitcher

Directions

Fill 1 quart glass measuring cup with 4 cups water.  Add tea bags, placing the strings outside the cup.

Place in microwave and heat for 5 minutes to brew.  After 2 minutes, I usually pause the microwave and dunk the tea bags a few times.  While tea is brewing, add sugar to one gallon pitcher.

After 5 minutes, carefully remove the measuring cup from the microwave.

Slowly pour brewed tea into the pitcher while holding onto the tea bag strings.  Refill measuring up, allowing water to run over the tea bags as you fill the cup.  Pour into the pitcher and repeat one more time.  Stir tea, then add additional water and/or ice to fill the pitcher.  Serve.