Iced Tea Favorite Summer Drink
Iced Tea
Tea House Wine of the South
I've been drinking Iced Tea since I was a small child and, yes, like all southerners, I drink it year round, not just when summer is searing, but when the snow flies, too. In the summertime, I keep a pitcher of sweetea in the fridge all the time. Nothing beats a frosty glass of home-brewed iced tea.
In the South we call it Sweetea(Sweet Tea). The farther south you go, the sweeter the tea gets.
Did you know June is National Iced Tea Month?
A Day to Celebrate
June 10th is set aside each year to celebrate one of summer’s favorite drinks. Whether it is sweetened or unsweetened, with or without lemon, iced tea is loved by many and enjoyed all summer long.Iced tea makes up about 85% of all tea consumed in the United States,.
Sweet Tea is a SouthernThing
" Down here, when we speak of tea, we mean sweetened tea with ice. Nothing complicated, just boiling water, a few tea bags and enough sugar to make the spoon stand up - all served on the rocks." ~~Robert St. John
As any iced tea drinker knows, sugar doesn't dissolve no matter how long you stir it...you've got to make a syrup!
Healthy Iced Sweet Tea Recipe
(Southern Sweetea)
This is my healthy iced sweetea recipe. If you don't want sweetea, just leave the maple syrup out. Would work for hot tea also if you leave out the ice.
2 cups of filtered water or spring water
heat on medium in a stainless steel or glass pot
add 1/8 cup Organic maple syrup (365 from Whole Foods is good) grade B (unprocessed)
stir gently while heating to completely dissolve the syrup into the water
add 4 Tetley tea bags
cover and remove from heat
let sit 15 minutes or so
pour into tall heavy glass (never plastic) filled with ice cubes
This will be very strong, dilute to taste with filtered water
Add slice of lemon (squeeze into tea)
Enjoy with a good book outside under a tree!!
Let me know how you like this.
"Calendar features a year of rare vintage teapots photographed in lovely teatime settings and accompanying each month's setting are morsels of history and lore from food writer Joni Miller." ~Amazon
The Collectible Teapot & Tea Calendar - For the true tea lover
"Sit down for afternoon tea, that convivial daily interlude filled with gossip and camaraderie, soothing ritual, and cakes. Presiding over every tea table, of course, is the teapot, setting the mood with whimsy or majesty, elegant understatement or floral exuberance." ~~Amazon
If you have a favorite iced tea, please leave a post in the guestbook at the bottom of this page and let us know what it is.
Links To More Southern Sweet Tea Info - Check out these resources
"The House Wine of the South"
- Syrups are simple, sweet The Commercial Appeal
As any iced tea drinker knows, sugar doesn't dissolve no matter how long you stir it...you've got to make a syrup to make a good cocktail. It's easy to do.... - The farther south you go, the sweeter the tea gets | The Clarion-Ledger | clarionledger.com
It's been extremely hot in Mississippi lately, though it's nothing compared to the heat wave we experienced 32 years ago.
Nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced tea!
Drinking Tea
What kind of tea do you prefer?
"More and more people are turning to tea as their primary hot beverage, and connoisseurs are discovering the wondrous range of flavors to be found in different varieties from around the globe-some of which command fantastic prices and are in great demand." ~~The Tea Companion
Thai Iced Tea
Thai iced tea "An exotic choice for a summer thirst quencher, Thai iced tea is as refreshing as it is unusual. It begins with aromatic Jasmine tea, plenty of sugar, and a liberal shot of light cream which, when poured in, turns the drink a distinctive orange color. This Southeast Asian specialty, though satisfying on its own -- the drink is almost over-whelmingly sweet but delightfully floral -- is the perfect complement to spicy Panang coconut curry or a stir-fry with prik pao, a roasted chili paste sauce." ~Food Network
- Recipes : Thai Iced Tea : Food Network
Emeril Live: Episode: Gateway to Tailand - Thai red tea leaves are blended with star anise, cinnamon, and vanilla. The steeped tea then is flavored with sugar, and after being cooled is mixed with cream and often condensed milk for a refreshing cream
"Tea is the world's second most popular beverage, after water," says Thompson, and it has noted health benefits; its consumption has been linked to lower instances of cancer and strokes. Iced Tea should help readers pursue good health--and have a delicious time doing it." --Andy Boynton
The Story of Tea - A Cultural History and Drinking Guide
"The Story of Tea was selected as a Finalist in the 2008 James Beard Foundation Book Awards. The James Beard Foundation Awards are the highest honors for food and beverage professionals working in America." ~~Amazon
Was This Lens Helpful?
What Are Your Tea Stories? - I Want to Hear From You
I love tea, but not sweetened at all. Just plain old good tea. No milk or sugar. I do like lemon sometimes.
It's refreshing that's why iced tea is a popular drink during summer.
Nice Lens, i like icea tea better.
Mac's Drive In is real close to our house and they make the best sweetea, ever!
I've made a sangria tea, too, and it is quite refreshing. Great tea lens!
- AUTHOR
@ellagis: Thank you, ellagis!
- AUTHOR
@Joan4: Joan, let me know what you think.
- AUTHOR
@hamshi5433: You're welcome, Hamshi! Thanks for your comment.
nice lens!!
I drink coffee, hot tea and iced tea. I even drink iced oolong tea! I want to try your tea recipe with the honey!
Oh hmm I`ve never tasted iced tea before even though i am bit of a tea lover..this lens is tempting me to try some..ha Thanx for sharing these wonderful iced tea recipes.
Your link to "Is It Safe to Drink Iced Tea?" on the Colorado State University Extension website seems to be broken! I wasn't able to find that article but I did find one on their site about sun tea.
- AUTHOR
I love hearing all your comments about tea. And it's great to see comments from other parts of the world.
I am English so say no more! I love tea and drink it every day.
It did take me awhile to get used to iced tea but now I enjoy it just as much as hot tea.
Tis the season for iced tea! I can't wait to make sun tea this summer.
Excellent lens. This is a 5*
Great work! I drink Iced Tea year round, too, but I don't make it myself all that much. When I do, I use Black Tea which makes a pretty good iced tea. If it's hot, I have to drink it black with no sugar.
I love Ice Tea and my favorite actually is with Earl Grey!! I drink it every day. Thanks for such a great lens!
Your link on Is It Safe To Drink Iced Tea doesn't work. Can you correct it? I'd like to read that one as I am a heavy tea tottler! Love the recipes!
My favorite Ice Tea is made from loose Black Currant tea and two mint teabags. It almost doesn't need sweetening, and it's sooo addictive.
Love your lenses!
Hi Pat, I'm a Tea Lover too! You and your friends are invited to my Tea Party! See ya there...
I've been drinking SoBe Green Tea every day for a while now, while at work; it is so refreshing, invigorating and delicious. I like your ideas of starting with high quality water, and using maple syrup instead of sugar.
Hello Pat,
I love unsweetened Tea, altho lately I have been drinking Green Tea sweetened with Raw Honey. I also drink coffey and a lot of distilled water.
I have enjoyed your lens!!!!
RUBY
Hi Pat, I'm a coffee drinker with tea roots. My Mom and Aunt were always sipping tea, so for me it's a comfort or nostalgia thing. I like iced tea when somebody else makes it! Enjoyed your lens!
Pat, I used to add minit flavoring to iced tea when I was I teenager. Now, I like vanilla tea sweetened with honey.
26