I love me some sweet tea. Growing up, from the second the weather started hinting warmth until almost Thanksgiving, there would constantly be a jug of my mom's southern sweet tea in the icebox. But, since I no longer live with her, I had to figure out how to make it myself. Casey from The Aslan's Auspicious Albany Adventure also asked me how to make it, so this one's for you, Casey!
I remember my mom always boiling a pot of water on the stove, but since the coffee pot was not in use for coffee, I figured why not make it a "tea" pot!
I start off by putting five tea bags into the coffee pot itself. I tried putting them in where the filter goes before, but it just doesn't work that well. Fill the coffee pot water reserve to about the 10 line.
Follow that by filling up your container with sugar. I put in about a half-inch deep amount of sugar (I don't measure, I just eyeball it). I also put a little sugar in my Contigo so I could just pour some tea right in there. I make extra so I don't have to take it from the pitcher I just made.
I also use another pitcher just to fill up the coffee pot with water.
Add two more tea bags to the pot, add more water, brew, pour. If you still need more tea to fill up your pitcher, just brew over all the used tea bags and let sit for a few minutes after it's done brewing.
Close up your pitcher (I have one with a sealing lid), turn upside down, and shake until there is no sugar on the bottom. And voila! Southern Sweet Tea, a la Heather!
