We were recently in Waco, TX and of course, one of our stops was Magnolia Market. It was disappointing that on our first day there it was raining pretty hard, so our stay was short.  We went back the following day and it was HOT!! We not only enjoyed shopping at the market, but also enjoyed spending time in the garden, and browsing all they had to offer. Did I mention it was hot?? Hitting up the Alabama Sweet Tea food truck was an obvious choice for me!

Not only did I enjoy Sweet Tea while at Magnolia Market, but I think I ordered it in every restaurant I went to. I came home craving it!! 

Sweet Tea is incredibly simple to make and the best part is that you can control how sweet you want it. As I mentioned, I enjoy mine “half sweet.”

For my sweet tea, I used the following four ingredients:

• tea bags
• water
• ice
• sugar

**I’ve heard that adding about 1/4 tsp baking soda takes some of the bitterness out of the tea. I’ve never added baking soda to my iced tea. Let me know if you try it.

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Sweet Tea

Author Joy in Every Season

Ingredients

• 12 regular sized tea bags I used Lipton
• 6 cups water
• 4 cups ice
• 3/4-1 cup simple syrup sweeten to taste

Instructions

• To make your simple syrup, place 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar (equal parts) into small saucepan. Heat over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool. Set aside.
• In medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Turn off heat.
• Add tea bags (dunking them a few times to submerge), cover and steep for 7-10 minutes.
• Remove tea bags without squeezing and discard.
• Cool tea slightly.
• Add 4 cups ice and stir until melted.
• Stir in simple syrup, starting with 3/4 cup (add more to sweeten to taste).
• Fill tall glass with additional ice and pour in tea.
• Enjoy!

Here’s a couple more refreshing drinks you might enjoy!

Strawberry Lemonade 

Watermelon Lime Slush 

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Making Watermelon Slush is a breeze! A ripe sweet watermelon, a little sugar, fresh lime juice and some ice is all you need! Ok, you’re going to need a blender also. I love my Vitamix! 

I recently found that cute watermelon pillow at our local Marshalls, and for only $9.00 couldn’t resist it for the summer. It worked perfectly with the lime green pillows that I purchase months ago from Costco. I purchased the lime rectangle lacquer tray from World Market. I couldn’t find the lime online, but they may still have it in your local store. Here’s the link for the turquoise tray. They also sell it in red, white, and I believe black is available in store.  I have the black and lime, and use them all the time.

I roughly followed the recipe below, but feel free to adjust the amount of sugar or lime juice.

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Watermelon Slush

Author Joy in Every Season

Ingredients

• 1 medium seedless watermelon approx. 6 cups cubed
• 2 TBSP sugar a little more depending on the sweetness of the watermelon
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 cup ice

Instructions

• Cut watermelon into large cubes, removing rind (if it's not a seedless watermelon, remove the black seeds) and place into blender. Add sugar, lime juice, and ice. Blend until smooth.
• Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

Here are a couple more summer time recipes that are sure to quench your thirst!

Strawberry Lemonade 

Watermelon Lime Popsicles 

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Strawberry Lemonade

Author Joy in Every Season

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cup water for simple syrup
• 1 1/2 cup sugar for simple syrup
• 2 cup fresh strawberry puree see directions below
• 8 cups water
• Lots of ice cubes
• **freeze extra lemon slices for adding to each glass and floating in pitcher or dispenser)

Instructions

• Begin by making simple syrup. Simple syrup is made by using equal parts sugar and water and heating in saucepan over med. heat just until sugar fully dissolves. Allow to fully cool.
• To make strawberry puree, rinse and hull approx 2 dozen fresh sweet strawberries. Add about 1/2 cup water and blend using a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine mesh sieve (for a smoother puree).
• Juice lemons using either a hand juicer or electric juicer.
• If time allows, cool in 'fridge the simple syrup, lemon juice, and strawberry puree.
• Mix lemon juice and strawberry puree together in large pitcher or dispenser. Add 8 cups cold water. Stir well.
• Add about half the simple syrup and taste for sweetness. Sweeten to taste.
• Add ice. and stir well.
• Serve garnished with fresh lemon slices and fresh berries.
• Enjoy!

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