This “house wine of the South” is literally drunk by the gallon during the spring and summer months here in Memphis. We add mint and simple syrup to ours, to give it the right amount of flavor and sweetness. It’s a refreshing “knock-back,” and can also be used as a mix for a cocktail (add a little rum or vodka).

　　

Ingredients

serves 8

　　12 cups water

　　10 bags tea (preferably Lipton)

　　1 bunch fresh mint, stems removed, leaves torn or bruised (save a few whole for garnish)

　　1 cup simple syrup

　　Lemons, for garnish

　　

Step 1

Bring the water to a simmer in a large pot. Remove the pot from the heat and add the tea bags and mint. Allow the tea and mint to steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain the steeped tea into a large glass pitcher, and allow to cool completely. Stir in the simple syrup.

　　

Step 2

Serve the tea over ice in a chilled Mason jar, with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel for garnish.

　　

SIMPLE SYRUP

Step 3

Simple syrup is just that: simple and sweet. To make 1 cup, stir together (or shake in a bottle) 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until dissolved. This one-to-one ratio ensures that your iced drinks stay cool and sweet. For a richer, sweeter version of simple syrup, you can do two parts sugar to one part boiling water, stirring just until dissolved, then setting aside to cool to room temperature. If you make up a batch, you can store it in your fridge in a well-sealed jar for up to 6 months.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Neelys' Celebration Cookbook by Pat and Gina Nelly. Copyright © 2011 by Pat and Gina Nelly with Anna Volkwein. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Pat and Gina Neely are restaurateurs, best-selling authors, popular speakers, and hosts of the Food Network hit series Down Home with the Neelys. They recently opened their first New York City restaurant, Neely's Barbecue Parlor. They live with their daughters in Memphis, where they enjoy cooking at home with family and friends.Ann Volkwein is a best-selling food and lifestyle author based in New York City and Austin, Texas. Her previous books include: The Arthur Avenue Cookbook, Chinatown New York, Mixt Greens (with Andrew Swallow), and, with Guy Fieri: Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; More Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; and Guy Fieri Food.