How to Make Sweet Tea Like a Southerner

My boyfriend used to live in Mississippi and spent a lot of time in New Orleans as well, while he was down south teaching for two years.  In his time there he learned a lot about the southern states and the area he lived in.  For example:

• Where he lived and many other areas down south people are unbelievably kind!
• The food is amazing!
• There is nothing quite like hearing live jazz on the streets and in bars!
• AND there is a certain way you have to make your tea for it to be Southern Sweet Tea.

He moved down to teach at Hancock High School right after Hurricane Katrina and so there were not very many places to stay or live, not even many open hotels.  Luckily one couple was kind enough to open up their home to him and allow him to stay with them.  It was this sweet couple that taught him how to make true Southern Sweet Tea.  Tonight I was sick of drinking water, so I made a delicious batch to get me through the week :)

Southern Sweet Tea

5 bags of tea (Nestea works)

1-2 cups sugar

Water

It doesn't really matter how much water you use (as long as it is less that 2 quarts).  Put water and the 5 tea bags into a pot and bring to a boil on high-heat on the stove.  Once boiling, let the bags sit in the boiling water for 5 minutes.  Then turn the burner off and let water and tea bags sit on the stove for 1 hour.  Once the hour is up, take the tea bags out of the water, squeezing the bags to get any extra tea flavor out of the bag.  Pour the "dirty" tea water into a pitcher and add sugar.  The amount of sugar you use is based on how sweet you want it to be.  I just put one cup in, but my boyfriend likes it sweet and puts 1 1/2 cups in.  (Side note: He said some of his students down south told him they would put in 4 cups sometimes, holy rotting teeth!!) After the sugar is dissolved in the warm water, fill the rest of the pitcher up with water, mix and serve over ice!