easy sweet lemony iced tea

We’ve severely cut back on pop and juice in the past year. Except for tonic water, and I’m not sure that you’d call that pop. The occasional G&T in our house is considered medicinal. My husband drove all the way back into town for me on the weekend when he found that we were out. He agreed that 4 hours spent herding kids in a cold arena while standing on cement floors was worth a large drink. I’m definitely renewing his contract.

Anyway, for the rest of the week, this is the alternative to pop in our house. The kids love it and I like that there is nothing artificial about it. I make it at least once every week. It can be sweetened with your choice of sweetener – I use sugar, but have tried honey in the past. This makes 4 litres (1 US gallon) at a time – which lasts a few days at my house. You could halve the recipe easily enough. I should mention too that this is much cheaper than buying juices and pop.

Sweet Lemony Iced Tea

• 4 cups hot water
• 1 cup sugar (or whatever sweetener you prefer)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 8 tea bags
• 1 cup lemon juice

Pour boiling water over tea bags and steep for 15 minutes (the original recipe said only for 5, but I found it too weak – but if you let it steep too long it will get bitter). Mix together remaining ingredients separately and add once the tea bags have been removed (don’t squeeze the bags or you’ll make the brew bitter). Add enough cold water to fill up a gallon (4L) jug and refrigerate.

Linking to Cozy Home Scenes, A Pinch of Joy, Addicted to Recipes, Cups by Kim, Live Renewed