Iced Tea
Iced Tea is a truly American invention. Southerners have served it for at least two centuries.
Here's how I make it:
- one cup strong tea (let seep for at least a half hour)
- ½ cold water
- ½ of crushed ice or more
- Juice of one lemon (or more if you love sour, like I do!)
- zest of one lemon
- sugar or sweetener to taste
- two fresh sprigs of mint
- one slice lemon
Mix the tea, water, lemon juice, zest and sugar or sweetener together, chill for at least one hour. Add ice, garnish with mint, take the lemon twist and put it on the side of the glass.
Alcohol: You can put tequila, rum, vodka, gin, or experiment with different liquors.
Herbal Iced Teas
If you prefer herb or fruit teas you can also make a iced tea. Brew a strong cup, add the water and ice. Instead of lemon use the juice of whatever fruit the tea is. For example if it's blue berry tea add a tablespoon of the juice of fresh blue berries . Just put the blue berries in the blender and add sugar or sweetener if you wish. For a ginger tea, add just a bit of fresh grated ginger and perhaps some fresh lemon or a bit peach juice.
Alcohol: try complementary liquors and/or gin and vodka.
Lemonade
While lemons are originally from Northern India the first lemonade came from Ancient Eygpt.
Yes, you can buy it but the one you make is just so much better. I got this recipe from my good friend Adele Vernon.
