Candy Tea – A Lovely Mess

Making genuine southern-style candy tea is straightforward and also you’ll love the refreshing style of black tea brewed with sugar. Take pleasure in your do-it-yourself candy tea on the porch, poolside, or at your favourite BBQs all summer time lengthy!

Candy tea is a southern deal with that’s much less acquainted to these elsewhere in america, however the means of brewing the tea, stirring within the sugar whereas the tea focus is sizzling, and the ratio of sugar makes it a should have throughout the sizzling months.

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What’s Candy Tea?

Whereas it’s a cousin of the standard glass of iced tea, candy tea is a drink widespread within the southern United States that makes use of a distinct brewing methodology than iced tea. The sugar is dissolved right into a sizzling black tea focus after which chilled for a deeper evenly candy taste.

Substances for Candy Tea:

• Tea Baggage: Black tea luggage are the most well-liked alternative though the tea may be made with inexperienced tea as properly, which was extra frequent when the drink was first circulating. You may also use decaf tea for many who need to drink it at evening.
• Sugar: Plain granulated sugar is the place the sweetness comes from. Simply your primary sugar bag within the pantry will do.
• Water: When you’ve got filtered water, use that to your tea for a extra cleaner style, however faucet water will do in a pinch.

Ought to I add baking soda to my Candy Tea?

If you happen to aren’t acquainted with this trick, it might sound somewhat unusual, however some candy tea makers swear by including a tiny quantity of baking soda to their tea (about 1/8 teaspoon) whereas the tea is steeping. The baking soda helps to easy out the tannins within the tea for a barely smoother style, however it’s elective so you’ll be able to strive it each methods and see which you favor!

Tip: Freeze a tray of candy tea ice cubes so you’ll be able to hold your drink cool with out the fear of it getting watered down.

Methods to make Candy Tea:

• Boil Your Water: Boil 2 cups of water in a small pot on the range. Take away from warmth.
• Steep Your Tea: Add your tea luggage to the pot and permit to steep for 5-10 minutes (do nearer to 10 for a stronger tea taste). Take away tea luggage and allow them to drip for a minute earlier than throwing away.
• Combine in Sugar: Add your granulated sugar and stir gently till dissolved.
• Add Water and Chill! Add the remainder of your water, stir to mix, and retailer within the fridge in a lined pitcher no less than 4 hours to correctly chill earlier than serving over ice.

How candy is that this Candy Tea?

Correctly, this candy tea is candy. It could style overly so to some who aren’t used to it, however you’ll positively discover this degree of sweetness served within the south. If you wish to dial it again a bit, go together with 3/4 cup of sugar as an alternative of the total 1 cup and see how that tastes.

How lengthy will Candy Tea final within the fridge?

If you happen to hold your tea in a lined container, it’s going to final 5-7 days within the fridge earlier than beginning to go dangerous.

Suggestions for making Candy Tea:

• Don’t tightly squeeze the tea luggage if you pull them out of the new water as that may add tea leaves and a little bit of bitterness to your candy tea.
• If you happen to solely have smaller pitchers readily available, divide the tea focus evenly between two pitchers and divide the remaining water in two as properly so you may have even ratios in each containers.

Variations on Candy Tea:

Candy Arnold Palmer: Add half candy tea and half lemonade over ice to make a candy and bitter model.

Spiked Candy Tea: Bourbon and whiskey are the most well-liked decisions of booze so as to add to candy tea (though you possibly can additionally do a extra impartial vodka as properly). Simply add a shot to the glass and prime together with your candy tea.

Mint Candy Tea: Muddle a number of contemporary mint leaves on the backside of your glass earlier than including the ice and tea for contemporary twist.

What to serve with Candy Tea: