Cooking Classics: Lemon-Mint Iced Tea

Cooking Classics

The Technique

Lemon-Mint Iced Tea 

Sweetened iced tea is the perfect beverage to serve for any occasion in the South & it’s recommended you learn how to prepare in from scratch. The most classic method is to bring water to a rolling boil, remove it from the heat, then add the tea bags & allow them to steep. Once they have been removed, a good portion of sugar is added while warm so as to dissolve quickly. However, there may be occasions where unsweetened & sweetened iced tea is needed & that’s where simple syrup steps in. A one to one ratio of sugar to water is heated to produce an essential nectar fit for many things & it can be flavored a number of ways to infuse additional taste notes.

Lemon-Mint Iced Tea
makes about 8 cups

Lemon-Mint Simple Syrup
4 cups water
3 family-size tea bags
4 cups ice
2 cups cold water
Garnishes: Lemon slices & fresh mint sprigs

Prepare the Lemon-Mint Simple Syrup as directed. Bring the water to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan over High heat. Remove from the heat & add 3 the tea bags. Steep 8 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Stir in the ice. Pour the concentrated tea mixture into a 1-gallon pitcher & stir in 2 cups of cold water. Transfer to a pretty glass pitcher. Serve the tea the over ice with the Lemon-Mint Simple Syrup. Garnish, if desired.

FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}

How To Prepare Lemon-Mint Simple Syrup

Lemon-Mint Simple Syrup is an effortless combination that can be used in cocktails & to brush over sponge cake layers but it’s particularly good when offered on the table as a sweetener for a perfect glass of iced tea. This effortless sweetener is a cinch to make & yields approximately 1 cup. Store in the refrigerator up to one week.

The Technique

Bring 1 cup water & 1 cup sugar to a boil over Medium-High heat, stirring occasionally. Cook the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Add 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves & the rind from one lemon. Let stand 10 minutes. Pour the mixture through a fine wire mesh sieve. Discard the solids. Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Chill 1 hour.

The Tune
“That’s My Desire” Frankie Laine

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Be sweet.