There's nothing better than a glass of iced tea on a hot day unless we're talking about moonshine sweet tea. The combination of sweet tea and moonshine makes for a refreshing cocktail you'll love for front porch sipping and backyard cookouts. This recipe infuses moonshine with a sweet tea simple syrup for a simple, tasty twist on everyone's favorite summer drink, Southern sweet tea. Tea cocktails are a great way to change it up. And if you are into health and wellness, the tea leaves give your body plenty of antioxidants along with the moonshine. Everything in moderation, right?
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What is Moonshine?
Lyndsay Cordell
During prohibition, moonshiners used to make illegal spirits in stills under the shine of the moon to avoid detection from the authorities. Made of corn, most moonshine made today is considered corn whisky and legally distilled by companies such as Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine and Bill Elliott's Moonshine.
Sweet Tea and the South
While sweet tea wasn't invented in the South, it was in the states that ice was added, making it a refreshing drink to cool off with. Most purists state that the only way to serve sweet tea is with lemon, but we like the addition of moonshine with this recipe. It's fitting, because before prohibition, sweet tea was normally served with alcohol!
How To Make Sweet Tea Moonshine
Lyndsay Cordell
To make the simple syrup, combine pure cane sugar, water, and fresh lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Drop in the tea bags and steep. You can choose your favorite tea here: plain black tea or a flavored tea such as peach tea. When the tea has steeped, let it cool completely.
Lyndsay Cordell
Next, combine the cooled simple syrup with moonshine (like Ole Smoky Distillery out of Tennessee) and honey and stir well.
Pour the liquid into 8-ounce mason jars, seal the jars and place them in dark place. When you're ready to make your new favorite summer cocktail, mix the sweet tea moonshine with lemon-lime soda, sparkling water, and honey. Then go sit on the porch a spell and enjoy!
