Latrell’s Southern Sweet Tea with Mint

Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets. My goal is to teach you about food, finance, anything about the home, gardening, and healthy living.

As I am preparing for my spring garden, I always keep in mind the herbs and vegetables that I might need for my canning projects or cooking classes. Three of my favorites are mint, basil, and rosemary. Rosemary and mint are perennial plants in the south. With great care and attention, your basil may survive a mild southern winter as well.

Several garden plants, including herbs prefer well-drained, loamy to sandy soil that is loose and not tightly packed. A soil pH range of about 6 to 7.5 is preferred, although plants such as rosemary do better with a more alkaline soil (7.5). The only way to understand your soil is to have it tested. This can be done at your local extension office with a simple soil test kit. Just take a cup a soil in a plastic storage bag to the office and they will be able to assist you for a nominal fee.

Using fresh herbs in recipes is fun and tasty too! Fresh parsley is more than a garnish, try adding it to your salads for delicious change. Mint is always good in tea! Here is my take on homemade sweet tea with mint. To sweeten or not to sweeten…that is your choice!

LATRELL’S SOUTHERN SWEET TEA WITH MINT

Ingredients

9 individual black tea bags

2 cups granulated sugar (optional)

Water, Ice

4 Fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices

Directions

Place the teabags and 1 or 2 mint sprigs (your choice) in a heat safe bowl. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Pour the boiling water over the teabags and steep (soak) for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the bags and mint sprig then discard. Add the sugar to the tea and stir until completely dissolved.

Pour the tea and sugar mixture into a gallon pitcher. Top off the pitcher with cold water. Pour the sweet tea into ice-filled glasses. Add a sprig of mint to each glass. Serve immediately. If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or would like to learn about events by Latrell, please visit my website and send an email via the contact form.

Website: www.southernjazzandsweets.com