Southern Sweet Tea

Southern Sweet Tea ...... nothing like it!  The hikers on the Appalachian Trail have conversations over the location of the last place on the Trail (hiking north from Georgia) where they can order 'sweet tea' and get a glass of Southern Sweet Tea.

Here is a 5-star recipe for 'Smooth Sweet Tea' ..... described as "Southern sweet tea, perfect for hot summer days!"  Evidently, folks would give it more than 5 stars if they could ...... there's a 'secret' ingredient that makes it so good ........... a pinch of baking soda! If you want it sweet, use the 3/4 cup of sugar in the recipe - really sweet is 1 cup.

Smooth (& Southern) Sweet Tea

Having a tall, cool one, condensation beading up on the glass while swinging in the porch swing, with just enough of a sultry breeze to tickle the leaves on the old elm tree ........ ah yes, now that's what I'm talking about .......

The Old Elm Tree

Electric Lemonade

Recipe created by Art Smith

From the Show Recipes to Remember

Serves 8

Delightfully dangerous - a summertime classic with a twist that's for adults only. This recipe is featured in the summer 2000 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of sugar
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 large mint sprig, finely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
• 8 ounces lemon-flavored vodka
• Splash of sparkling water
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest for garnish

Mix the sugar and water in a small pot and boil for 3 minutes to make a simple syrup**. Let cool.
In medium bowl, stir together 1 cup syrup (leftover syrup can be refrigerated indefinitely), the lemon juice and the chopped mint.
Pour mixture in ice cube tray and freeze for one hour.
In a blender, blend together frozen cubes, sparkling water, chopped mint & vodka.
Pour into chilled glasses.Garnish with mint sprigs & lemon zest.


** Simpler Simple Syrup (Microwave)

Yellow Birds

Oma got this recipe while on a cruise with Opa & some friends to the Bahamas ...... word is, they had a really good time! Once back on dry land, she served it at a series of parties she had during the holidays ..... this is what originated the 'punchbowl' proportions (I did the math).

A word to the wise: you can get seriously "snockered" on these in a hurry.  They taste really good, they're refreshing, and the next thing you know ..... well, you know .....!

Ingredients:
                                             1 Drink     -   2 Drinks   -  Punchbowl
Rum (Bacardi)                          1.5 oz.     -     3 oz.     -     48 oz.      
Creme de Banana                      1.0 oz.     -     2 oz.     -     32 oz.
Orange Juice                            5.0 oz.     -    10 oz.     -    160 oz.
Pineapple Juice                         1.0 oz.    -     2 oz.     -      32 oz.
100 Proof Banana Nectar          a few drops ............   -       1.0 oz.

Mint Juleps

No Southern Belle would be without a recipe for a good Mint Julep!

"The Mint Julep has become the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby over the years, a tradition that has stood fast since 1938."

• Mint Juleps - A Kentucky Derby Tradition

Mint Juleps Recipe (from the link)

(Makes Eight 4 ounce Mint Juleps)
Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves (Spearmint is the Southern favorite)
• 32 fluid ounces Kentucky bourbon

Note: Have additional fresh mint leaves for garnish

Directions:

1. Place fresh mint leaves that are dime to quarter in size into a bowl, stems removed. Wash thoroughly and dry.
2. Combine water and sugar in saucepan and heat until the mixture turns crystal clear. Do not boil.
3. Pour syrup over the mint leaves, bruising the leaves to infuse the mint flavor into the syrup. Allow to steep in warm mixture for fifteen minutes.
4. Allow syrup to cool slightly, then add Whiskey and pour entire mixture into a glass bottle, cap tightly and refrigerate for 24 hours

During The Kentucky Derby Party:

Fill a chilled highball glass or silver goblet with crushed ice; add 4 ounces of the Mint Julep mixture (strain out the bruised leaves as you pour) and top with a sprig of fresh mint. Serve with a straw that just peeks over the rim of the glass. Drink and Repeat!

Once everyone has their traditional Mint Julep in hand, the Kentucky Derby Race for the Roses can begin! Just listen for “And they’re off!