Southern Iced Sweet Tea Made in a French Press is a quick and easy way to make tea using tea bags or loose tea since it strains automatically after steeping.
SOUTHERN SWEET TEA
A French press is not just for coffee; it is so adaptable even for Southern sweet tea.
I love sweet tea, and the stronger, the better. When I think of a French press, I think of making strong coffee, but one day, I thought, why not tea.
I have used my French press to make my tea for the last couple of years. I pour the boiling water over the tea bags, let them steep for 4 or 5 minutes, and pour in my tea pitcher with a cup of sugar.
This summer, though, I have been adding the sugar to the French press, pouring the hot water over it, giving it a couple of stirs, adding the tea bags, and then pushing the plunger down just below the water to steep, oh my so good.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE? TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR SOUTHERN SWEET TEA
Below, under the next heading, I give a list of preferred ingredients, tips, and cooking instructions for the Southern Sweet Tea and similar recipe ideas you can have.
Or you can scroll down to the bottom, where you will find a full printable recipe card with amounts of the ingredients and complete instructions with notes.
TIPS FOR MAKING SOUTHERN SWEET ICED TEA MADE IN A FRENCH PRESS
Tea bags or loose tea will work. Most grocery stores carry loose tea.
Check on the package for the recommended temperature and brew time. I give what I used in the recipe.
If using sugar, add it to the French press before adding the water and tea bags.
When pouring the tea, hold the paper tabs on the tea bags to keep them from falling into the glass pitcher.
When placing the plunger down into the glass pitcher, hold the paper tabs on the tea bags as the plunger is pushed down to keep them from slipping down in the tea.
It is advisable not to use the same French press for coffee and tea as coffee residue will spoil the flavor of the tea.
Check on the package for the recommended temperature and brew time. I give what I used in the recipe.
If using sugar, add it to the French press before adding the water and tea bags.
When pouring the tea, hold the paper tabs on the tea bags to keep them from falling into the glass pitcher.
When placing the plunger down into the glass pitcher, hold the paper tabs on the tea bags as the plunger is pushed down to keep them from slipping down in the tea.
It is advisable not to use the same French press for coffee and tea as coffee residue will spoil the flavor of the tea.
WHAT IS A FRENCH PRESS
The French press is a small glass pitcher with a plunger made of fine mesh to keep the grounds separate from the coffee and pushed to the bottom when the coffee is brewed and used as well for other drinks.
Despite the name, the French press is actually Italian. It was patented by an Italian designer in 1929. Yes, it is that old.
When using the French press to brew tea, it is necessary to pour up the tea into a pitcher as soon as it is finished steeping to avoid the tea from becoming bitter.
French press tea is not suitable for tea that needs to be boiled, such as Indian Chai.
Despite the name, the French press is actually Italian. It was patented by an Italian designer in 1929. Yes, it is that old.
When using the French press to brew tea, it is necessary to pour up the tea into a pitcher as soon as it is finished steeping to avoid the tea from becoming bitter.
French press tea is not suitable for tea that needs to be boiled, such as Indian Chai.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE SOUTHERN SWEET TEA MADE IN A FRENCH PRESS
32 oz. French press
Sugar
Loose tea or tea bags (I used tea bags)
Stove top or electric kettle (I used an electric kettle)
Lemon slices (optional)
Sugar
Loose tea or tea bags (I used tea bags)
Stove top or electric kettle (I used an electric kettle)
Lemon slices (optional)
HOW TO MAKE SOUTHERN SWEET ICED TEA MADE IN A FRENCH PRESS
Heat 4 cups of water using an electric kettle (or stove stop) to the temperature of boiling.
Add the sugar to the French press pitcher.
Fill the French press with the boiling water and stir until dissolved.
While holding the tabs on the tea bags, add the tea bags to the hot water.
While holding the tabs of the tea bags, place the lid on the French press and press the plunger over the tea bags just under the water. Hang the tabs over the side of the pitcher.
Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes. The longer you steep the tea, the stronger it will be.
As soon as the tea has steeped while holding the tabs to the tea bags, press the plunger all the way to the bottom of the pitcher.
Fill a large tea pitcher full of ice.
Pour the steeped tea over the pitcher full of ice.
Serve with lemon. (optional)
Add the sugar to the French press pitcher.
Fill the French press with the boiling water and stir until dissolved.
While holding the tabs on the tea bags, add the tea bags to the hot water.
While holding the tabs of the tea bags, place the lid on the French press and press the plunger over the tea bags just under the water. Hang the tabs over the side of the pitcher.
Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes. The longer you steep the tea, the stronger it will be.
As soon as the tea has steeped while holding the tabs to the tea bags, press the plunger all the way to the bottom of the pitcher.
Fill a large tea pitcher full of ice.
Pour the steeped tea over the pitcher full of ice.
Serve with lemon. (optional)
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