HOW TO MAKE SIMPLE SYRUP AND CLASSIC SWEET TEA
There is nothing more Southern than classic sweet tea, and you can make it a lot of different ways, but most classic sweet tea is made with simple syrup. A lot of alcoholic beverages are made with simple syrup, too. You can make this syrup up and store it in the refrigerator for up to a month to use in your favorite drinks.
Simple Syrup Ingredients Needed:
White granulated sugar
Water
Classic Sweet Tea Ingredients Needed:
Family-sized tea bags
Water
Simple syrup (you can add more or less to suit your taste)
Ice
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Southern Sweet Tea with Simple Syrup
Ingredients
Simple Syrup Ingredients
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
Classic Sweet Tea Ingredients:
- 2 family sized tea bags
- 7 cups water divided
- 1 cup simple syrup you can add more or less to suit your taste
- Ice
Instructions
Simple Syrup Directions:
- Combine ingredients and heat on medium on the stove until sugar is dissolved. Store in refrigerator. Makes about 3 cups. You can double this or make as much as you like.
Classic Sweet Tea Directions:
- Bring 4 cups water to boil on stove. Remove and pour over 2 family sized tea bags. Let steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove tea bags and add 3 more cups water and 1 cup simple syrup. Pour over ice and enjoy classic sweet tea. Makes 8 cups
You can easily make a Kentucky Mint Julep with your simple syrup. This is the classic Kentucky Derby cocktail.
Kentucky Mint Julep Directions:
Mint leaves
Simple Syrup
Kentucky bourbon
Ice
Place 3 or 4 mint leaves in the bottom of the glass and add an ounce of simple syrup. Use a wooden spoon handle to crush or mash the leaves into the syrup. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add 2 ounces of Kentucky bourbon. Can add a little water if you want to cut it some. Garnish with mint, and Enjoy! Makes 1 mint julep.
Can I substitute sweetener for the sugar? I have diabetics in the family, and I try to limit the amount of sugar in my recipes.
I have never tried it but see no reason why you couldnt.
Leigh and Anne..
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I would love to make this sweet tea,but what is family size teabags.Maybe because I’m Canadian I only know normal size teabags.My favorite drink Is tea,so I would live to make this.Thank you in advance for your help
What is a family size tea bag? A regular tea bag makes 1 serving but a family size tea bag is bigger and makes 1-2 quarts or even 1 gallon of iced tea.
Of the common tea brands sold in our area of the US (Lipton, Luzianne, Red Diamond, etc) a family size tea bag is equivalent to 4 regular size tea bags.