Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate

Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate Recipe - Made in USA with Stevia

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 8

Introduction

Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate is a refreshing and easy-to-make beverage that is perfect for hot summer days or any time you need a pick-me-up. This recipe combines the tangy flavor of lemon juice with the subtle sweetness of sugar and the earthy notes of tea to create a delicious and versatile drink that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with water.

History

Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate is a popular drink in the northeastern United States, where it is often served at picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings. The recipe has been passed down through generations of New England families, with each cook adding their own twist to the basic ingredients of lemon juice, tea, sugar, and water.

Ingredients

2 cups of lemon juice
6 tea bags of standard black tea, preferably with string and a cardboard tag
3 herbal tea bags of any kind
20 tsp of sugar (or 5 tsp of sweetener if using a stevia or other sweetener mixture that is four times as sweet as sugar)
slightly less than 1 gallon of water

How to prepare

In a one gallon / four liter jug, combine all of the ingredients except the tea bags. It may be helpful to dissolve the sugar or sweetener in a small amount of water before adding, possibly heating the water to aid dissolution.
Using an office stapler, staple the cardboard tags of the tea bags together so that they are firmly attached to one another. This step is purely for neatness and ease of cleanup. If some of your tea bags do not have cardboard tags, you can staple them to the ones that do. (Of course, in that case, you would need to use staples that are safe for use with food.)
The contents of the jug form a beverage concentrate. Serve by pouring a few fingers' worth into the bottom of a glass and then fill the rest of the glass with tap water or bottled water as desired. The author's preferred mixture is approximately one part concentrate to three parts water, resulting in a mildly sweet and slightly sour beverage.

Variations

Add fresh mint leaves or a splash of ginger syrup for a different flavor profile.
Use honey or agave nectar instead of sugar for a natural sweetener.
Experiment with different types of tea bags, such as green tea or fruit-infused teas, for a unique twist on the classic recipe.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to dissolve the sugar or sweetener in a small amount of water before adding it to the jug to ensure that it mixes evenly.

- Stapling the tea bags together with their cardboard tags is a clever trick to keep them organized and easy to remove from the jug after steeping.

- Experiment with different types of tea bags to create your own unique flavor profile for the concentrate.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate over ice with a slice of lemon for a refreshing summer drink. It can also be mixed with sparkling water for a fizzy twist.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate is to steep the tea bags in the water and lemon juice mixture for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you prefer a sweeter beverage, you can increase the amount of sugar or sweetener in the recipe. You can also use honey, agave nectar, or stevia as a substitute for sugar.

Make Ahead Tips

Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Simply mix the ingredients together in a jug and keep it chilled until ready to serve.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate in mason jars with colorful paper straws for a fun and festive presentation. You can also garnish each glass with a slice of lemon or a sprig of fresh mint.

Pairing Recommendations

This beverage pairs well with a variety of dishes, including grilled chicken, salads, and sandwiches. It is also a great accompaniment to summer desserts like fruit tarts or lemon bars.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate in a sealed container in the refrigerator. To serve, simply pour a small amount into a glass and dilute with water as desired.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate contains approximately 20 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate contains approximately 5 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate is a fat-free beverage.

Proteins

There is no protein in Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate.

Vitamins and minerals

This beverage is a good source of vitamin C from the lemon juice.

Alergens

This recipe contains no common allergens such as nuts, dairy, or gluten.

Summary

Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate is a low-calorie, fat-free beverage that is a good source of vitamin C.

Summary

Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate is a versatile and refreshing beverage that is perfect for any occasion. With its tangy lemon flavor, subtle sweetness, and earthy tea notes, this drink is sure to become a favorite in your household. Enjoy it on its own or mixed with water for a delicious and hydrating treat.

How did I get this recipe?

I have a clear memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my dear friend Margaret. Margaret was known throughout the neighborhood for her delicious baked goods and refreshing beverages. As soon as I walked into her kitchen, I could smell the sweet aroma of lemons and tea wafting through the air.

Margaret greeted me with a warm smile and a hug, and she immediately set to work preparing her famous lemon tea concentrate. I watched in awe as she expertly squeezed fresh lemons, brewed a strong pot of tea, and mixed in just the right amount of sugar. The result was a beautiful golden liquid that looked both refreshing and delicious.

As Margaret poured the concentrate into glass jars, she explained to me how she had learned the recipe from her own grandmother, who had passed it down through the generations. She told me that the secret to the perfect lemon tea concentrate was to use only the freshest ingredients and to let the mixture steep for just the right amount of time.

I couldn't wait to try a glass of the lemon tea concentrate, and as soon as Margaret handed me a chilled glass, I took a long sip. The flavor was bright and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness. It was the perfect thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.

I begged Margaret to share the recipe with me, and she happily obliged. She handed me a worn piece of paper with the ingredients and instructions written in her elegant script. I tucked the recipe into my purse, knowing that I would treasure it for years to come.

Over the following weeks, I experimented with the recipe, making adjustments here and there until I had perfected my own version of Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate. I made batch after batch, sharing the delicious drink with friends and family who couldn't get enough of it.

Eventually, I decided to enter the lemon tea concentrate in the annual county fair. I spent hours perfecting the presentation, carefully pouring the concentrate into glass bottles and labeling each one with a hand-written tag. When the day of the fair arrived, I was nervous but excited to see how my creation would fare against the competition.

As the judges made their rounds, tasting each entry and taking notes, I watched anxiously from the sidelines. Finally, the moment of truth arrived, and the winner of the beverage category was announced. To my delight and surprise, my Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate took first place!

I was overjoyed at the recognition of my hard work and dedication to perfecting the recipe. As I accepted my blue ribbon and posed for pictures with the judges, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in my culinary skills.

From that day on, my Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate became a staple at family gatherings, picnics, and summer parties. I even started selling it at the local farmer's market, where it quickly became a best-seller.

Looking back on that fateful summer day when Margaret shared her recipe with me, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a talented and generous friend. The Number 9 Yankee Lemon Tea Concentrate will always hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of the joy of cooking and the power of sharing recipes with others.