How to Make Sweet Tea Like a True Southerner

As an adult in my thirties, it dawned on me one day that I didn't know how to make Southern-style sweet tea. I was sitting at the dinner table at my friend Rachel's house and she had just made a batch for our gathering as a special treat. At that point in life, I had ditched sugary drinks altogether. But, I could get behind drinking one in place of a dessert, if it tasted good and wasn't too syrupy. I took one sip of Rachel's sweet tea and begged her to teach me how to make it.

I've always thought it was important for kids to learn how to make true Southern recipes. When we taught them to make Hummingbird Cake at Garden Party baking camp, I was particularly proud.

So, for the sake of continuing Southern traditions, I'm sharing here how to make my friend Rachel's delicious sweet tea.

Southern Sweet Tea Ingredients:

-3 bags of Luzianne tea (regular or decaf) -1.5 cups granulated sugar -Water Directions:

1. Fill a 3 quart saucepan 3/4 full of water 2. Put 3 bags Luzianne tea in it and bring to a boil 3. Once boiling, lower heat to medium or to a simmer for 7 minutes 4. Remove from heat and let it cool a little 5. Meanwhile, pour 1.5 cups of sugar into a gallon pitcher 6. Pour hot tea over the sugar and stir 7. Add water up to the pitcher fill line 8. Chill overnight before serving

Now, to add lemon or not to add lemon, that is the question... (I'm a no lemon advocate).

What are your thoughts on this recipe? Is it true to what you grew up drinking? Let me know in the comments.