How to Make Carolina Sweet Tea using an Iced Tea Maker

One of the most commonly offered beverages in most dining establishments throughout the low country is the Carolina sweet tea. When the server asks you if you would like iced tea, rest assured he or she thinks you are interested in the sweet variety. For those that do not like sweet tea, it would be wise to tell your waiter or waitress you want a glass of iced tea unsweetened. Don’t assume anything or you are in for a sweet shock. I tend to like both options, but really enjoy a glass of Carolina sweet tea when sitting down to some local fare such as barbecue or locally caught fish or shrimp.

Because I am such a lover of iced tea, I typically brew this beverage in a two quart iced tea brewer. These appliances are a great investment for those that like this beverage and want to save money from buying the prepared bottled teas such as Lipton, Honest Tea, or Tradewinds. Those brands are all good tasting black teas, but nothing beats the flavor of home brewed using the Luzianne or Lipton bags. If you can get the tea from the Carolina tea plantation near Charleston, even better! I have a really good tea recipe for y’all for making Carolina Sweet Tea using an iced tea brewer.

Carolina Iced Tea
7 regular size bags of black tea
Water
Ice
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 mint sprig

Method
1. Make simple syrup by bringing one cup of water and one cup of sugar to a boil.
2. Make sure sugar completed dissolved and set aside to cool to room temperature.
3. Fill iced tea brewer with water (per brewer instructions) and fill ice to appropriate fill line.
4. Place tea bags into container and set brew cycle.
5. When completed pour brewed tea and simple syrup into larger serving pitcher and mix with whisk incorporating simple syrup throughout tea.
6. Serve over glasses with ice and dash with spring of mint.