Chef Hunter Lee
Let’s get shakin’
Longer days and a story about as old as the south itself. Sweet tea is bout as southern as it comes.
It wasn’t until 1928 that sweet tea became the southern thirst-quencher of choice it is today. The well-known “Southern Cooking” cookbook published a sweet tea recipe that shifted iced tea from a refreshing beverage to a cultural staple.
Growing up I remember as the days got longer and warmer mom made sweet tea by letting it brew out in the sun just as many older southerners do today. It was always perfect, even as a kid in the hot Louisiana summers I would pick that sweet tea over koolaid or anything else. Nothing is more memorable than momma making a big container of tea, sitting it on the porch, and letting it bask in the sun all afternoon.
Now days most of us make it the easy way, or even buy it already made from the grocery store. But for old time sake and to make our mawmaw’s in heaven proud I think everyone should at least know how to do it their way and this ages old recipe is bout as traditional as it comes. I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as I do.
Southern Sun Tea
Ingredients
4-8 tea bags (I prefer Lipton)
Gallon glass jar with lid
1 gallon of water
Sugar or simple syrup (I prefer pure cane sugar)
Lemon wedges/mint leaves if you desire
Instructions
Sterilize a clear container that will hold as much water as you are using.
Add water and tea bags to the container.
Set in direct sunlight for 1 to 4 hours or until tea is the color and strength you prefer. Do not leave in the sun for longer than 4 hours.
Remove tea bags.
Place tea in the refrigerator to cool.
Serve over ice with sweetener and lemons/mint leaves Other flavors can be added.
Alternately, this can be made in the refrigerator, it will just take longer.
Notes
**Important Note: Sun tea can harbor bacteria, to reduce the risk be sure to sterilize your jar prior to using. Do not leave this in the sunlight for longer than 4 hours. Do not make more tea than you will use in a day, or discard unused tea after 24 hours. If you see floaters, strings, or strands in the tea, discard it as these things may be bacteria forming.
Until next week I’m Chef Hunter Lee, wishing you all a fabulous southern spring.