Southern Sweet Tea + Grandmaw Pittman’s Lemonade

Here’s the way we make sweet tea in North Carolina:

Bring a small pot of water to boil. Remove from heat.  Add three family size tea bags and put the lid on the pot. I prefer Luzianne. If you have small tea bags, use six. Let steep about ten minutes; [Much more and tea gets bitter.] Remove tea bags. Pour hot mixture over 1 ½ cups sugar. Stir hot mixture to melt sugar. Add water to make one gallon. Refrigerate. Pour over ice when serving.

Do not try to add artificial sweetener to unsweetened tea. That stuff is not only nasty, it’s way worse for you than sugar. Drink tea like a true southerner. See how healthy we all are?

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade:

When I was a young bride I was at my Grandma Pittman’s house one day. She showed me how to make lemonade using fresh lemons. Chilled and poured over ice it’s even more refreshing than iced tea.

• Juice 6 fresh lemons using a juicer, or just squeeze the life out of halved lemons
• Add juice to 3 cups sugar which you’ve already put in your gallon container
• Now add 2 cups of hot tap water; Stir until sugar is blended
• Add cold water and ice to make one gallon

 

Wasn’t that simple? Since grandma had twelve children and the Lord only knows how many grands and great-grands, with all their spouses, we went through gallons of drink for any get-together. Her lemonade has always been my favorite.

If you decide to add lemon slices, don’t add them til you are ready to serve since they will make the lemonade bitter if left in too long. My niece Ashley says four hours is the maximum. She also makes the simple syrup from the first 3 ingredients and freezes it so she’ll be ready whenever she wants lemonade. But she is very efficient and is also early for every event. I, on the other hand, am thankful if I remember what day it is.

If you do not have fresh lemons, you can substitute bottled Real Lemon Juice. It’s almost as good and easier to keep on hand. Use the directions on the bottle for the amount equal to six lemons. [It’s about 1 ½ cups of juice.]

If you feel like being fancy and want your lemonade to be pink, add a few strawberries. This lemonade is also good served from a punch bowl with slices of oranges, lemons, and limes added just before serving.

See, I told you it was simple.