Refreshing Ice Tea

The supermarkets and corner stores are all loaded with ice tea this time of the year.

In fact, ice tea drinking has become so popular, it is kept pretty much stocked up all year round from what I have been noticing.

And much of the bottled stuff tastes pretty good.

But I think it can get pricey - especially this time of the year when we really consume it.

I have made my own ice tea off and on over the years and have tried many different ways of doing it.

My most favorite, and the easiest is the way we go about it now.

I pick a bright sunny day and fill a gallon jug with water - just an empty water one will do - doesn't have to be glass - the frosted plastic jugs work great.

I fill it to about 2 inches from the top.

Then I put 9 tea bags in it - leave the tags hanging outside.

The plastic top snaps right back on.

Set it in the sun for about 4-5 hours, or leave it overnight if the sun is unavailable.

Carefully remove the bags so they don't break apart in the jug.

Use a funnel to add the sugar - about 12 teaspoons for the whole jug.

Since the tea is warm from the sun, the sugar dissolves right off with a couple of shakes.

Chill and serve over ice - not too strong and not too sweet like the pre-made ones tend to be.

And it costs so much less too.

The sun "brews" it perfectly so no extra energy or work required to make it.

So far this season, I make a jug about every other day - we really love our tea!!