Mint Sweet Tea

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In the south, we like a little thing called “sweet tea.” At a restaurant, if you ask for tea it’s going to be sweetened (and I mean really sweet). This is a more mild version, with a touch of mint because at the time of this writing, it’s summer and mint is refreshing.

So, you want to know how to make sweet tea?

Whether you add mint or not – the way to make sweet tea is the same. If you want a true southern sweet tea, follow these steps but leave out the mint and substitute 1.5 cups of sugar (I use honey granules) for the honey.

What kind of tea is used for sweet tea?

Okay… full disclosure here: when it comes to sweet tea, I don’t use the “healthy” tea. This is the brand I prefer simply because we like the taste: Red Diamond. However, I want to point out that conventionally grown tea gets sprayed heavily with pesticides and other chemicals to control weeds and bugs. It’s really not good for you. I’ve looked for an organic option but haven’t found a good one. (If you do, I’d love to hear about it!) As with most things, if you must have tea… drink it in moderation.

Tea also contains caffeine. I’ve read studies for and against caffeine. Most of what I’ve read says not to consume more than 400mg/day (less than 2 cups). I have three small children, so caffeine for me is a necessity.

Let’s Get Started

Fill a pot – I like to use stainless steel – with 2.5 liters of filtered water. Place the tea bags in the water and set over high heat. Warm the tea until it almost simmers, and then remove it from the heat.

Stir in the raw honey or honey granules (see below for all ingredient measurements) and the mint leaves. Allow the tea to cool completely in the pot.

Once it’s cooled, pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher or jug. Discard the tea bags and the mint leaves. Place the tea in the fridge to chill. Serve over ice on a hot day.

Hot Moroccan Mint Tea

When I was sixteen, I spent a few weeks of my life in Morocco on a missions trip. The beverage available at every meal, offered in even the smallest of homes, was a warmly satisfying mint tea. It’s interesting because I was the hottest I’ve ever… in my life… been while in Morocco (specifically in the Sahara Desert), but their sweetened mint tea was incredibly refreshing. So try this same tea warm, for a cultural delight.

Leave a comment below letting me know if you tried this recipe and what you thought! What other teas are your absolute favorites and have you found any organic options (for sweet tea) that you love?

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