It's summertime in the south and that means it's time for good ole' fashioned iced tea. Try this summer-time fruit twist on your next pitcher of sweet tea!
Watermelon Iced Tea
Makes about 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 teaspoons black tea leaves, preferably Nilgiri or Ceylon
- 3 cups boiling water
- 3 cups ice
- 1/6 or 1/4 watermelon, cut into cubes (remove seeds)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 sprig of mint, plus a few extra for garnish (optional)
Directions
Begin by brewing your tea.
- Combine the tea leaves and boiling water in a teapot.
- Let steep for three to five minutes.
- Strain the tea leaves.
- Set the tea aside in the fridge or freezer until ready to serve.
Combine all ingredients except the tea in a blender. Blend until smooth using the "blend" setting. It should take about 30 seconds. As needed, stop blending to push the ingredients toward the blades with a spoon.
Once the mixture is smooth, you can proceed to step where mixture is combined with tea or cover the mixture until shortly before you plan to serve the tea (combining the watermelon mixture and the tea just before serving prevents the drink from separating).
When you're almost ready to serve the tea, pour the brewed black tea over a pitcher of ice. Most of the ice will melt, but you've brewed the tea extra strong to accommodate for this dilution.
Just before serving Watermelon Iced Tea, combine all ingredients in a large glass pitcher. Stir well. If the drink begins to separate into layers (as is natural for agua fresca-style drinks), simply stir it again.
Serve this Southern sweet tea/watermelon agua fresca hybrid in a clear glass to show off its brilliant color. Add more ice or a sprig of mint if desired.
Any leftover Watermelon Iced Tea can be kept covered and refrigerated to be drunk the next morning.