Sweet Iced Tea

Sweet tea is the main reason I grow fresh mint. Spearmint is my favorite. There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot day and nothing goes better with your favorite southern meal than a glass of sweet iced tea with plenty of ice, mint, and lemon. I can remember my sister and me coming in for dinner after playing outside on a hot summer day and downing a tall glass of iced tea before me mother even got food on the table. Fortunately she always had enough tea to refill our glasses many times.

• 1 gallon (4 quarts) water
• 4 family size tea bags
• 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups sugar
• Fresh mint and lemon wedges for garnish

In a 6 quart or larger pot bring one gallon of cool water to a boil. Once the water is boiling turn off the heat and remove the pot from the heat. Place the tea bags in the water, cover, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and add sugar. Allow tea to cool and serve over ice in individual glasses garnished with mint and lemon.

Note: Add the sugar while the tea is hot so it will dissolve. For a lighter version use Splenda that measures like sugar. The Splenda sweetened tea is better when allowed to cool completely in the refrigerator before serving. Something about it being cold disguises the taste of an artificial sweetener.