When­ever Iced Cof­fee is not an option, I have to con­fess, Diet Coke has always been an alter­na­tive – well until I started read­ing some seri­ously dis­turb­ing things about it.  Sure, it’s zero calo­ries but what the heck does that do to one’s body if you have too much.  I used to like drink­ing unsweet­ened ice tea but some­times you just have to be in the mood for it.  Now, if there is rasp­berry in it, well then – I’m game.  But mak­ing my own iced tea was like my cof­fee adven­tures – some­thing was just *off*. 

I finally dis­cov­ered the secret thanks to the Bare­foot Con­tessa.  It had to do with the ratio of teabags to water to steep time.  Thank­fully, once I dis­cov­ered this, it was sim­ple enough that I can make it in my sleep.  Not to men­tion, I can vary up the types of tea and keep a pitcher of it in the fridge ready for any occasion.

Even bet­ter – those $1.59 *ahem* “Snapish brand” Rasp­berry Iced Tea bot­tles – no longer needed.  I can just make it myself and put that money towards the Choo fund!

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Eas­i­est Ever Rasp­berry Iced Tea

Recipe Adapted from the Bare­foot Contessa

Ingre­di­ents:

• 4 black tea bags
• 4 rasp­berry tea bags
• 4 cups boil­ing water
• 4 cups hot water
• Agave Nec­tar, Honey or Sugar to taste.

Direc­tions:

1. Boil 4 cups of hot water and pour over the rasp­berry and black tea bags.
2. Steep for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the tea bags and pour the brewed tea into a pitcher.
4. Add 4 cups of water to the pitcher and stir.
5. Should you care to sweeten it, add your sweet­ener of choice (honey, agave nec­tar, sim­ple syrup or super fine sugar) and enjoy!