Southern Sweet Tea

Because it hit 90 today on my back porch, I think it's only appropriate to share a simple recipe for Southern style sweet tea, the table wine of the South. Here's what I like to do, and it works every time.

Sweet Tea

• 2 large ("family size") tea bags
• 1/2 gallon (2 quarts) boiling water
• 2/3 cup sugar or Splenda (how much and what brand depends on taste)
• 1/2 gallon cold water
• 6 cups ice cubes

Take the boiling water off the heat. Steep the tea bags in the hot water for 15 minutes, until tea is desired strength.

Remove the tea bags and stir in the sugar until dissolved.

Pour into a large, at least 1-gallon, pitcher. Add the cold water and ice cubes. Serve ice cold with lemon.