Perfectly Sweet Southern Tea

I never really knew what sweet tea was until I moved to the South.  Oh sure, I'd had iced tea before, but I soon learned that not all iced teas are created equal.  Southern Sweet Tea has been my beverage of choice since our first move back in the late 80's to Cherry Point.  Serving sweet tea is quite neighborly.  Over the years, I've had friends who've knocked on my door, especially after a particularly hot day involving yard work, looking quite parched, and asked me for a glass of my sweet tea.  It is what my friends help themselves to when they come to my house.

Today I needed a pick-me-up after work so I decided to go with my old stand-by.  If there is a comfort beverage, like there is comfort food, it has to be sweet tea.

Here is the recipe I use for Perfectly Sweet Southern Tea:

Bring 8 cups of cold water to a boil.  Place 6 family-size Luzianne Tea Bags (decaffinated is what I use) into the pan.  Lid the pan and move it away from the burner.  Steep 20-30 minutes.  Then strain the tea bags and put the steeped tea into a gallon sized pitcher.  Add 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar (yes, that much) and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice concentrate, if you desire, to the pitcher.  Last add 8 cups of iced water to the tea mixture.  (Adding very, very cold water stops the steeping process and helps keep the tea from becoming bitter.)  Serve with additional ice. 

This is definitely sweet and it is definitely good!  LOL  Enjoy!  (insert "Aaahhhh!")

Seldom do I order iced tea when I am visiting the northern states anymore.