Porch Swing Iced Tea Food

PERFECT ICED TEA

Steps:

• Hot-Brewed:
• Bring 8 cups water to a simmer; remove from the heat and add 3 tablespoons loose tea or 6 tea bags. Let steep about 4 minutes, until it's the strength you like. Strain loose tea with a fine-mesh sieve or remove the tea bags. Let cool, then transfer to a pitcher, cover and refrigerate.
• Cold-Brewed:
• Combine 8 cups cold water and 6 tablespoons loose tea or 10 tea bags in a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate 15 to 36 hours, until it's the strength you like. Strain loose tea with a fine-mesh sieve or remove the tea bags.
• Sweet Teas:
• Combine 3/4 cup each sugar and water in a saucepan and add 1 infuser, if desired. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then remove from the heat and let cool. Strain the infused syrup through a fine-mesh sieve (you'll get about 1 cup).
• Orange Add 6 strips zest
• Blackberries 1 cup
• Cinnamon 2 sticks
• Lavender 3 tablespoons dried
• Vanilla 1 halved bean
• Mint 3 sprigs
• Ginger 1 cup sliced
• Lemon 8 strips zest
• Nectarine 1 cup chopped
• Cucumber 2 cups chopped

PORCH SWING ICED TEA

Steps:

• Special Equipment: 1 highball glass
• Fill highball glass with ice cubes. Pour in vodka and your favorite iced tea.Garnish with lemon wheel and serve.

SOUTH BEACH TEA

Steps:

• With a melon baller, make small balls with the peaches, leaving the skin on for color. Layer crushed ice and peach balls in a hurricane glass. In a shaker filled with ice, combine the liquor and fruit juices. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly and chilled evenly. Strain into glass over peaches and ice. Top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with a pineapple wedge on the rim of the glass and serve.