Seeking solace from the sweltering South Carolina heat? Look no further than the ultimate indulgence, a tall glass of sweet tea. The perfect harmonization of cooling hydration and invigorating sweetness, sweet tea is an iconic beverage deeply ingrained in the fabric of Southern culture. Its legendary status stems from a meticulously crafted symphony of flavors, where black tea's tannins dance gracefully with sugar's soothing sweetness, while a hint of lemon or peach adds a touch of vivaciousness. Join us on a journey to explore the nuances of this iconic drink, unraveling the secrets behind the perfect balance of flavors that make South Carolina sweet tea a beacon of refreshment.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SOUTHERN STYLE SWEET TEA
Every Southern family has a sweet tea recipe, and this one is ours. It's as Southern as a biscuit, great with any dish from apple pie to baked ziti, and should always be available in the fridge.
Provided by Luzianne Tea
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- In a pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil; remove from heat Add tea bags and allow to steep for 3-5 minutes depending on the strength of tea you prefer. Remove tea bags and stir sugar into warm tea; continue to stir until completely dissolved. Pour concentrated tea into pitcher and mix in remaining 8 cups water. Allow to cool to room temperature. Pour into glasses packed with ice cubes, garnish and serve. For best flavor, refrigerate and use within 48 hours.
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SOUTHERN SWEET TEA
I know, I know. Everyone claims the best sweet tea around. I only say mine is best because everyone, and I do mean everyone... says so (so far, but now it's posted so that may change). Posted by request. Sometimes we will substitute two of the Lipton tea bags for two green tea bags which gives this tea another wonderful flavor. SOME TEA 'BAG' HISTORY: Tea 'bags' were originally created by manufacturers as 'samples' of their fine teas and given to the distributors to boost sales.
Provided by 2Bleu
Categories Beverages
Time 4h5m
Yield 1 gallon, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Hold tea bags lined up evenly by the strings and make a loop knot to hold them together. Pull off paper and staple (from paper side). Set aside.
- In a one gallon pitcher, add very hot water. Stir in the sugar till dissolved.
- Add tea bags and dunk into water a few times, then leave them in the pitcher. Cover with lid of pitcher and refrigerate.
- Wait until it is very cold (at least 3-4 hours). The flavor changes until it reaches the 'cold' state.
- Drink and enjoy. (I leave the bags set in the pitcher, but recommend taking them out after about 8 hours--- IF it lasts that long! We make 2 pitchers at a time down here in the south. :).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172, Sodium 19.4, Carbohydrate 44.4, Sugar 44.3
SOUTH CAROLINA SWEET TEA
Make and share this South Carolina Sweet Tea recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ki_94
Categories Beverages
Time 30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Mix water and sugar gradually, tasting and adjusting as necessary. Pour into a pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Remove from heat and add baking soda. Dunk teabags several times and cover. Allow to steep for 15 - 30 minutes (taste at 15 minutes).
- Remove tea bags (do not press!) and let cool to room temperature. Then transfer to a 2-quart glass or plastic pitcher.
- Refrigerate for several hours. Serve/garnish with lemon or orange slices. Enjoy! For swamp water, substitute 1 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice for the same amount of water when adding sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 193.5, Sodium 93.4, Carbohydrate 50, Sugar 49.9
DOWN SOUTH SWEET TEA CAKE
I think this recipe combines two of the best and most famous ingredients from the South: sweet tea and pecans! Using a cake mix simplifies prep and helps ease the holiday time crunch. -Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h5m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, 3/4 cup tea, eggs, oil, vanilla and lemon extract; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2 minutes. Stir in pecans. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes., Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, butter and enough remaining tea to reach desired consistency. Pour glaze over top of cake, allowing some to flow over sides.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 511 calories, Fat 29g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 76mg cholesterol, Sodium 357mg sodium, Carbohydrate 62g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
Tips:
- Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the tastier your sweet tea will be. Look for fresh lemons, oranges, and mint. Use real sugar, not artificial sweeteners.
- Steep the Tea Properly: The key to making great sweet tea is to steep the tea leaves properly. Use 3-4 tea bags or 2 tablespoons of loose-leaf tea per quart of water. Steep the tea for at least 5 minutes, but no longer than 10 minutes, to avoid bitterness.
- Sweeten the Tea to Your Taste: Southern sweet tea is typically quite sweet, but you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. Start with 1 cup of sugar per quart of tea and add more to taste.
- Chill the Tea Thoroughly: Sweet tea is best served cold. Chill the tea for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.
- Garnish the Tea with Fresh Citrus and Mint: A few slices of lemon or orange and a sprig of mint add a refreshing touch to sweet tea.
Conclusion:
Southern sweet tea is a refreshing and flavorful beverage that is perfect for any occasion. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Whether you're enjoying a hot summer day or just looking for a delicious drink to quench your thirst, Southern sweet tea is the perfect choice. So gather your ingredients, brew a pot, and enjoy!
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