Indulge in all things southern this National Iced Tea day (which happens to be tomorrow). And what’s reps the south more than sweet tea on a hot summer day? However, this sweet tea recipe has more of a kick than you may be used to. And by kick, we mean whiskey. Use your favorite booze to offset the sweetness that tends to overpower most teas, and pour yourself a hefty glass of the good stuff:
Sparkling Sweet Tea: (serves 8)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 7 1/2 cups warm water, divided
- 4 black tea bags
- 1 cup Whiskey
- 1 (12-ounce) can club soda or seltzer water, chilled
- 1 orange, sliced into wheels
- 1 lemon sliced into wheels
In a small saucepan heat the sugar and 1 1/2 cups of water just until the sugar completely dissolves. Set aside to cool. In a large pitcher, combine the tea bags and the remaining 6 cups of water and steep until the tea is as strong as you like it: five minutes for a weaker tea and up to twenty minutes for a stronger brew. Remove and discard used tea bags. Add the cooled simple syrup and whiskey, and stir. Top with the cold club soda, and stir in the orange and lemon wheels. Fill the remainder of the pitcher with ice. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice. Enjoy!