YaYa's Tea Punch
This Tea Punch is a bright and refreshing Southern favorite that’s been served at bridal showers, baby luncheons, and church picnics for generations. The base is a strong black tea sweetened with sugar, citrus juices, and a fizzy finish from ginger ale and charged water. It’s meant to be served icy cold over a block of ice in a large punch bowl, making it perfect for entertaining. This recipe comes right out of Mama Shirley’s recipe box and always brought a crowd together on the back porch.
Servings 12 Cups
Calories 85kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup strong hot tea (see note below)
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- 1 pint ginger ale
- 1 pint charged water sparkling or club soda
Instructions
- Brew a strong tea using 2 teaspoons of tea leaves (or 2 tea bags) and 1 cup boiling water. Let steep and then strain if needed.
- While tea is still hot, pour it over the sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add orange juice and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Strain mixture into a punch bowl over a large block of ice or a generous amount of crushed ice.
- Just before serving, add chilled ginger ale and charged water.
- Serve immediately while fizzy and cold.