The Southern Sweet Tea Bar has become the usual drink stand at our annual Independence Day soiree.
I offer a lemonade, sweet tea, Firefly sweet tea vodka, fresh mint and lavender from our garden, and lemon and lime wedges. Guests of ages wet their whistle on concoctions including Arnold Palmers (sweet tea + lemonade), Firefly Cocktails (lemonade + Firefly) and Drunken Palmers (sweet tea + lemonade + Firefly).
Now, it goes without saying that I like my tea sweeeeeeet. I make it the same way Mother taught me to make it when I first ventured out on my own nearly twenty years ago. Gulp. Here’s how I do it:
– I have coffee maker that is dedicated to tea. I fill the caraffe with 10 cups of water and use 1 family sized tea bag or 3 regular sized bags per pot. I prefer Luzianne bags.
– As the pot brews, I add 1 cup of sugar to my pitcher. Pour in the hot tea and fill to the 2 quart line with water. Stir and chill. Or drink it while it’s still hot in the winter.
It’s easy, fun and so-Southern – what’s not to love?!?!
xoxo
Definitely doing this for our end-of-summer bash – thanks fir the fun idea!
I love your ideas for the tea bar. I have never tried that Firefly vodka before but it's definitely on my list now!
-Shelley
super cute!! may have to do a sweet tea bar at our housewarming party in september!
ps I knew you would like the name ;) the names are after each of our grandfathers and a very good family friend suggested we combine the two and call him whit. well your super cute sweetie helped sway my decision! so needless to say any whit monograms you sell I am super interested in!!
I love this idea, Amanda. I think I'm going to incorporate it into a wedding I am planning and have the tea and lemonade drinks as our signature cocktails.
Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing you tea recipe. I have a coffee pot we don't use now that we have our keurig. Never thought to use the old one for tea!
I love this idea! Can't wait to use this Southern Sweet Tea bar at our next event we host! Thanks for sharing!
How fun! I am doing an Arnold Palmer drink station at my daughter's sweet 16 party tomorrow so this was very timely. (Obviously I am only offering lemonade and sweet tea to the kids!). Love the way you make everything so festive- very fun!
Mmmm…love sweet tea. I lived in Macon, GA for 11 years and I loved that when you went to a restaurant, you could get sweet tea, and it was always so good.
I love Firefly Cocktails! Enjoy your gathering!
Love your ice teas bar. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
i'm a sweet tea girl myself…but i guess we wouldn't be southern if we weren't! years ago my ex-husband's grandmother taught me to make the best sweet tea…she was from scotland and had the cutest accent. i always brewed my tea and luzianne was my choice as well…never did like tetley…too strong in my opinion. after steeping, added sugar and poured over lots of ice. when my son was in high school his friends swore i made the best sweet tea they ever had!
I've also known Sweet Tea Vodka/Lemonaide to be known as a John Daly…
At our house, Drunken Palmers are called a John Daly.
Either way…yum!
Great tea bar! I've not tried Firefly sweet tea vodka, but it's now on my shopping list.
Love your tea bar, so pretty and I could really use some right about now. Hugs, Marty
I like this idea and your tea bar..Thank you for sharing..
Adorable! We love hosting Low Country Boil in our courtyard and this will be a fun new addition. I had Fire Fly for the first time on the 4th of July…….woo weee!
Love your blog!!!