What is the best recipe and way to make sweet iced tea?

Question

I am wnating to make my own and just can't come up with the right recipe.

Answer 1

ICED TEA SOUTHERN STYLE

1 1/2 c. water
5 tea bags
2/3 c. sugar (or a little more)
1 glass with ice cubes
Take 1 1/2 cups water and 5 tea bags, then put in microwaveable measuring cup or bowl; bring just to a boil but don't let it start boiling! Press tea bags gently against sides until tea is darker looking.

Pour tea into a 2 quart pitcher straining back teabags as you pour. Fill with water and add 3/4 cup sugar. Stir. A glass of fresh brewed iced tea in less than 5 minutes.

My microwave brings it just to a boil in 4 minutes. Some microwaves take less time.

A squeeze of lemon is good. The Haitians add a squirt of lime to their tea - tastes great.

Answer 2

I don't know about everybody else, but here in North Carolina we do it like this:

two family size tea bags
two quarts water
2 cups of granulated sugar

Add the tea bags to the water and boil. Just as it comes to a boil real well then take it off of the stove. Put 4 cups of very hot tap water in a gallon container and add the 2 cups of sugar.
Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then add the pot of boiled tea, holding back the tea bags with a wooden spoon. Stir well and top off with ice cubes or cold water.

That's good old Southern sweet tea

Answer 3

I boil 2 regular size tea bags in a medium size pot. I don't measure the water, but its about 4 cups. I let it boil for about 1 minute. I add 1 cup of sugar to a 2 qt. size pitcher. Pour water from pot into pitcher, take tea bags out, and stir. Fill the rest of pitcher with water. When you learn to make iced tea you will know how strong or sweet you like it.

Answer 4

I agree somewhat with Bluegirl - I am from North Carolina. I just use a regular pitcher I bought from Dollar General, but I first boil my water on the stove first - I don't measure it, but I put it in a medium sized pot. When it comes to a boil, I take it off the burner, put in 4 family sized tea bags (Luzianne is all we use) and put a plate on top of it and let it "steep" for about 30 minutes. I then add 1 and 2/3 cup of sugar to the pitcher, add the water/tea mixture and fill it up the rest of the way with water (close to the top) - it is great - a little extra work but well worth it.

Answer 5

This will help you forget , you can not get it just right.

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA
1 part gin
1 part vodka
1 part white rum
1 part triple sec
1/2 part sweet and sour mix

Add coke for color to make the color of ice tea!
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But if it is still bugging you...Try this
PERFECT ICED TEA

7 Lipton tea bags
4 c. boiling water
4 c. cold water
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 gallon jug

Steep Lipton tea bags in boiling water for exactly 5 minutes. (Do not squeeze.) Remove bats; pour cold water in jug. Add almost 2/3 cup sugar and mix well. Add hot tea mixture to cold water and sugar. Mix well and chill. Enjoy.
I use lemonade or slices of oranges and orange juice to zip it up. I use flavored teas and add freh mint, dont try choc, mint though it wasnt good combo,

Answer 6

Im kinda lazy I like the sun tea. Gallon glass jar with lid ( you can buy the one with the spout at the bottom) add water and 3 cups of sugar, add 6 to 8 regular tea bags, set in sun and leave. while it is "brewing" place several glasses in freezerto chill. Takes about 2 to 3 hours to make. bring it in remove glasses from freezer add ice and garnises as you choose pour tea over ice and enjoy.

Answer 7

5 cups water, divided
2 regular-size tea bags
Pinch baking soda
2 (1 grain each) Saccharin tablets*
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups cold water
Ice cubes

* A white crystalline powder having a taste about 500 times sweeter than cane sugar, used as a calorie-free sweetener.

Bring 3 cups water to a boil; remove from heat. Add tea bags and baking soda; let steep 1 minute and then remove tea bags. Add remaining 2 cups water.

In a large pitcher, add saccharin tablets and sugar. Add warm tea and stir. Add additional 3 cups cold water and stir until well mixed. Cool and serve in tall glasses over ice.

Yields 1/2 gallon.

Answer 8

Here's a tip for your sweet iced tea. Instead of adding normal ice cubes, freeze lemon juice in your ice tray and add those cubes to your tea. As they melt, your tea won't get more and more watery.

Answer 9

Perfect Brewed Iced Tea

4 regular tea bags (orange pekoe or green tea or a combination)*
2 cups fresh cold water
Water
Ice cubes
Granulated sugar or other sweetener such as Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
Lemon slices (optional)

1. Unwrap (if necessary) and carefully slide off any paper attached to the strings of the tea bags; tie the strings together and place the bags in a heat-proof 2-quart pitcher.
2. Bring 2 cups cold water (always start with fresh cold water) to a rapid boil. Remove from heat and immediately pour over the tea bags. Allow tea to steep for 20 minutes or more. (This process simply forms the "concentrate". You can store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.)
3. Remove tea bags, squeeze out excess liquid (being careful to not break open the bags) and discard. Fill the pitcher with enough water to equal 2-quarts. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled before serving. Or to serve iced tea immediately, add a dozen or so ice cubes to tea concentrate then fill with water to the 2-quart level.
4. To serve, pour tea over a generous amount of ice cubes in a tall glass, stirring in desired sweetening and a squeeze of lemon, as desired.

Makes 8 servings.

*If using loose tea, measure 2 tablespoons into a paper coffee filter and seal it tightly with a twist tie, or simply pour water over loose leaves in a small heatproof container, and when ready separate the liquid from the tea leaves using a strainer.

Variation: Add 1 flavored tea bag such as Ginger Peach, Blackberry Sage, Vanilla Almond, etc., with the orange pekoe or green tea for a decidedly refreshing change in flavor. Makes 2 quarts.

Simple Syrup for Iced Tea & More

2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 cup water

1. Mix sugar, corn syrup and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and cool completely at room temperature. Pour into a covered container and refrigerate. Can be stored indefinitely in refrigerator.

Makes 32 (1 tablespoon) servings; Yields 2 cups.

Cooking Tip: You can rescue an overbaked cake by spiking this simple syrup with a little Grand Marnier, Kahlua, Tia Maria or brandy and drizzling it over the cake.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 52.0 calories; 0% calories from fat; 0.0g total fat; 0.0mg cholesterol; 1.7mg sodium; 0.3mg potassium; 13.5g carbohydrates; 0.0g fiber; 13.5g sugar; 13.5g net carbs; 0.0g protein.

Answer 10

for a pitcher of tea, add 1 cup of sugar, and a quarter cup of honey. do not add any lemon--it cuts the sweetness. mix the two in very hot water until disolved, and put in the pitcher (not very much water)..fill the pitcher with ice, and pour in the tea (prepared in a pot on the stove to desired strength).....mix well and serve immediatly...enjoy!