flipSweet Tea
Sweet Tea
Why this dish? Sweet tea is the unofficial national drink of the South — and South Carolina was the first place in the United States to cultivate tea. Impossible to imagine Andie MacDowell's childhood in Gaffney without that sweating pitcher on the table.
Strongly brewed black tea, heavily sweetened while hot, then served very cold over ice with a lemon slice. Refreshing and frankly sweet.
Honey, in the South, sweet tea isn't a drink, it's a way of hosting. You brew it strong, and the sugar — lots of sugar, don't be shy — you put it in while it's still hot, otherwise it never dissolves right. Then you let it cool, pour it over a mountain of ice, and a lemon slice on top. When someone walks through the door, the first thing you say is: you want a glass of tea? You don't refuse, that's just not done.
- •Black tea — several spoonfuls (base)
- •Sugar — generously (sweetness)
- •Spring water — a large pitcher (infusion)
- •Lemon, mint — to taste (freshness)
Sweet Tea
Strongly brewed black tea, heavily sweetened while hot, then served very cold over ice with a lemon slice. Refreshing and frankly sweet.
Why this dish? Sweet tea is the unofficial national drink of the South — and South Carolina was the first place in the United States to cultivate tea. Impossible to imagine Andie MacDowell's childhood in Gaffney without that sweating pitcher on the table.
Honey, in the South, sweet tea isn't a drink, it's a way of hosting. You brew it strong, and the sugar — lots of sugar, don't be shy — you put it in while it's still hot, otherwise it never dissolves right. Then you let it cool, pour it over a mountain of ice, and a lemon slice on top. When someone walks through the door, the first thing you say is: you want a glass of tea? You don't refuse, that's just not done.
Ingredients (period version)
- Black tea — several spoonfuls (base)
- Sugar — generously (sweetness)
- Spring water — a large pitcher (infusion)
- Lemon, mint — to taste (freshness)
Ingredients
- Black tea (bags or loose) — 4 bags or 3 tbsp (base)
- Sugar — 120 to 180 g to taste (sweetness)
- Water — 1.5 L (infusion)
- Lemon slices, ice, fresh mint — as needed (freshness, serving)
Method
- Bring 750 ml water to a boil, remove from heat, and steep tea for 5 minutes (no longer, or it becomes bitter).
- Remove tea bags or strain, dissolve sugar in the hot infusion while stirring.
- Dilute with 750 ml cold water.
- Refrigerate until well chilled.
- Serve in tall glasses filled with ice, with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint.
How it was made : Sweet iced tea spread across the South in the late 19th century when ice became accessible. South Carolina is home to the Charleston plantation, the first commercial tea cultivation site on American soil — deeply rooting sweet tea in the state's identity.
The contemporary twist : An "Arnold Palmer" version by cutting the tea with homemade lemonade for scorching afternoons.
Andie MacDowell · Charactorium
