The perfect iced tea

When I found myself wishing that they made Kool-aid without food dye I realised that it was Summer. Our Winter was long, and our Spring short, but Summer is here, and along with it 90* days and the desire to sip on a nice cool drink all day long. My kids were asking for juice... but I can't drink it... So I thought I would make up a big batch of iced tea. (Cheaper anyhow.)

Contrary to the picture, only the cup came from Starbucks. It is my new favorite thing. I didn't buy those water bottles... I bought a reusable cup from Starbucks. It has a straw. Oh goodness, I wish I could tell you how much I love my reusable straw! I have drank more water than I have in years because of this beautiful over sized straw. It makes drinking for me a joy. I don't know why... maybe I am crazy, but I figure as long as I keep good stuff in my cup, like water or tea, then I am doing my body good.... and I can continue to use my straw in contentment. Unfortunately for Starbucks, that means that once again, they have lost me as a customer. I guess they can consider the $14 I spent on the cup my final farewell gift. :)


So to start; basically, you are making tea concentrate. First bring out two heat resistant measuring cups (everybody has these, right?). Put 4 tea bags in the larger of the two and then 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup honey or sugar in the other. Add at least two cups of boiling water to the ones with the tea bags, and then add enough to get to 1 cup of liquid in the one with the sweetener. Let them sit for 10 minutes.

While that is steeping, fill your pitcher half full with cold water. As cold as you can get it.

Remove the tea bags (this is important) and add the sweetener into the tea mixture. Mix well. Add the whole thing to the pitcher of cold water, mixing again to make sure there are no bland spots.

Pour over ice to serve. Can keep without getting bitter in the fridge for 4 days.