Sugar-Free Almond Tea

One of my favorite movies is Steel Magnolias.  It was actually filmed in Natchitoches, which is just up the interstate from where I live.  The movie is full of quotable quotes that people use all the time.

I’m not crazy, M’Lynn.  I’ve just been in a very bad mood for forty years!

Sammy’s so confused he don’t know whether to scratch his watch or wind his butt.

I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.

The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.

You are too twisted for color t.v.

I have seen this movie at least 40 times in its entirety.  Maybe more, but who’s counting?

There are a lot of truths in the movie, too, but one of my favorites is:

Have some iced tea.  It’s the house wine of the South.

We do drink a lot of iced tea in the South.  We like it cold.  We like it sweet.  And we like lots of it!

There are several local restaurants here that serve an almond iced tea.  I absolutely love it!  So I decided to develop a sugar-free version of it.  My friend, Stephanie, gave me a basic recipe and I just tweaked it a bit.  It is so good!

Sugar-Free Almond Tea

• 1 packet of Crystal Light Peach Tea
• 1 packet of Crystal Light Lemonade
• 1 cup of Splenda
• 1 ounce of almond extract
• 1 gallon of water

In a gallon-sized pitcher, pour in the Peach Tea and Lemonade drink mixes.  Add the Splenda and almond extract and then add enough water to fill the pitcher.  Allow to refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  Overnight is best!

Well Duh #1:  You be using the big packets of Crystal Light.  The ones that make a 2-quart pitcher.

Well Duh #2: Don’t worry about measuring the almond extract.  Just buy a 2-ounce bottle and eyeball about half of it.

Well Duh #3:  You really do want to let this sit in the refrigerator for awhile before drinking it.  The flavors need time to marry.

During the summer, I keep a big pitcher of this tea in the refrigerator at all times.  It is a must!  Almond tea over ice in a big glass is just the perfect way to relax on a hot summer day.  Sitting on the back patio, sipping tea and reading a good book – that’s summertime to me!  (By the way, yes I know that the book in the picture is The Help – which seems a little strange since I’m talking about Steel Magnolias, but that’s what I’m reading!!)