How the British do Iced Tea *

Let me preface this true story by saying that I am no tea snob.  I was drinking hot tea way before my first visit to the U.K. - sugar, no sugar, milky or not, lemon/honey whatever and I absolutely adore both sweet & unsweetened iced tea.  My family are big on the tea.  

Most of the British people I've talked with think iced tea is crazy, CRAZY I TELL YOU!! Which is cool (ha, pun) I know it's very different for them. 

While in England our family decided to go to dinner and a movie (Harry Potter).  Dinner was T.G.I. Friday's because it is close to the cinema and has pretty good food.  For those who may not know, it's an American restaurant which means things like free refills (Yes! Finally!) and American fare.  I'd been before on trips, but this was the first time I noticed Iced Tea on the drinks menu. 

I'd been about two weeks without iced tea and was interested to see what it would be like in England.  When our waitress came to the table I asked her if they made the iced tea fresh.  I only asked because I hate iced tea made from a powder - sacrilege!!  So horrible and so not tea.  The waitress gave me a quizzical look and said yes, they would make it fresh for me.  I was really excited! 

Out came our drinks and ...

I'm fairly certain that they made a cup of hot English tea (I think it was probably English Breakfast, the taste was very similar) added milk, then poured it over ice!  A sort of iced coffee but with tea.  And most definitely not as good!  It wasn't terrible - I drank it all over the course of the meal - I didn't want to make her feel bad!  Let's just say I won't be changing my iced tea making ways to be like theirs! 

And wouldn't you know?  It was the one time I didn't take my camera with me somewhere the whole trip! 

I'm thinking I might do a step by step photo tutorial on how to make iced tea - and fast!  It's very simple and really refreshing...

*Obviously not all of them (I don't think!)

Kath's Guide to Making Iced Tea

Comments

[David M]

that method seems...odd.

I've never made Iced Tea myself, preferring it strong, with milk and no sugar.
I can't quite imagine how you'd make it iced. You don't just whack a couple of PG Tips in a big jug of cold water, do you? How would it brew?

Perhaps you'd better do that guide...

[Kath]

Hi David M! I am all in on the guide now, look for it tomorrow :o)

Thanks for visiting!

[Robin]

Ha Ha My husband and I are planning to move to London in a few years, and he is a HUGE sweet tea fan. We make it with stevia, but its still sweet and cold. But I do want to correct one thing- REAL Iced Coffee is not made hot then poured over ice. Iced coffee is made by soaking coffee beans in small amount of water for a day, making a coffee concentrate, then mixed with ice cold water-iced coffee. Anyway, thanks for posting this!

[Kath]

Hi Robin! London is pretty sweet (though a little too big to live in for my taste!) I hope everything works out perfectly for you both. I'm hoping the next time Royal and I make it over we'll spend a little more time there.
Thanks for your note about the coffee - I'm not a coffee drinker myself, that's the way my Momma makes it (I'm sure it's a little more complicated then that, though.)

Thanks for visiting :o)

[Eve]

do English people like to drink sweet tea?