Some drinks are made for cocktails. Sweet tea -- the classic Southern accompaniment to fried chicken and barbecue -- is just one such drink. Lighter than juice, sweet tea forms the base of cocktails that look and taste refreshing.
Snapple has a new sweet tea in a can -- 79 cents a pint at Sun Fresh Market -- that won't quite hold a spoon upright but comes close. With a splash of light rum, a squeeze of lime and a sprig of mint, this innocent glass cup becomes a dangerously drinkable mojito. Those who steep their own tea can try this recipe for a sweet tea mojito.
You also don't have to go to the trouble of combining sweet tea with a spirit -- last year saw a rash of sweet tea-infused liqueurs after Firefly's sweet-tea vodka launched successfully in 2008. Some swear by Jeremiah Weed sweet tea vodka. I think Firefly is still likely the best of the lot, made with tea from a tea plantation and cane sugar. Sweet tea vodka works best as one-half of an alcoholic Arnold Palmer (half tea, half lemonade).
Firefly also just released a sweet tea bourbon. I'm not so eager to jump into that pool, though it's apparently a good base ingredient for a Sweat Tea Julep. There's also the pre-made bottle option of Southern Comfort Sweet Tea Cocktail, which just needs to be put on ice.
Regular tea enthusiasts might enjoy a Raspberry & Watermelon Sparkling Ice Tea made with sparkling wine, raspberry tea and watermelon. It won't lack for sweetness, but it also won't make you wince.
Showing 1-2 of 2
I also prefer Firefly. Here's another sweet tea vodka recipe.
Muddy & Minty (Waters):
2 oz Sweet Tea Vodka
2.5 oz Orange Juice
.5 oz Lime Juice (Fresh)
5 Mint Leaves (Spearmint if possible)
Muddle the mint and lime juice in a rocks glass. Add ice, vodka and oj. Stir until chilled (if you'll feeling fancy garnish with slice of lime) and enjoy.
like
dislike
