Monday, September 29, 2008

Sweet Tea, Please

I love sweet tea. Well, even after three years of living in South Carolina- where sweet tea runs in the veins of many- I can't get into the syrupy sweetness of full "sweet" Sweet Tea, so I order my "sweet tea" half and half. That would be a glass of half unsweetened tea and half sweetened tea.

I recently bought myself an iced tea maker so that I can make my own iced tea to my own sweet liking. If I'm out and want to purchase a sweet tea, though, my favorite place to get it is at McDonald's. For only a dollar you walk away with a cup large enough to burst your bladder.

Yesterday things went terribly wrong with my sweet tea. Now, there is lots of scientific research money at work concerning perfection and the ratios of sugared tea to non sugared tea. I poured my own half tea and then half sweet tea, so I could have the exact ratio. I slapped on the lid, bit the wrapper off my straw, inserted the straw and headed for the table. I had a sip and got only unsweetened tea. So, I discreetly blew bubbles into my straw to "mix" the sweet tea (on top) with the unsweetened tea (on the bottom). (Ratio... ratio... ratio.) (Don't laugh about blowing bubbles in my drink. The kids didn't see me and it works!) I sampled again. No sweet anywhere. I sent my son to the drink counter to add in some sweet tea. I sipped again. Okay there is no sweet in the sweet tea.
I approach the counter. I notify the pregnant employee that there isn't any sugar in the sweet tea. (I always feel sorry for pregnant people working at stand up jobs. I told her I would go home and put my feet up just for her, but I digress.) She offers me sugar. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but doesn't everybody know that you can't add sugar after the ice? You get a crusty bottom and limited sweetness. Not to mention, a sandy texture going up your straw. Oh, you have to be so careful with the ratio... No, thank you, I don't want sugar.
She offers to fill my glass from the drive thru's sweet tea jug. That would be fine. Thank you.
She hands me back a full glass of tea and I put the lid on and head out the door. On the way home I am buckeled and safe and I take a long swig from my tea.
You know what she did, don't you? She poured out all my unsweetened tea and filled it to the brim with sweet tea! Ugh!
I really had no point in telling you this. I just want you to feel sorry for me because I didn't get any tea yesterday!
:)

20 comments:

Wep said...

Evil tea people....

Fast food employees always have the most creative ways of resolving food issues...

Emma's Mommy said...

That is too funny!!! I am like that with my tea from Sonic. A Route 44 Unsweet tea with Blackberry please. But if they put to much blackberry in it - it is tooooo sweet. If they don't put enough blackberry in it - it is just weird!!!

Anonymous said...

Sorry about your tea! On the upside, I didn't even know McDonald's HAD sweet tea! Are you in a test market or have I been living under a rock up here in Minnesota? Blessings, Whitney

Nikki said...

LOL!!!! I do the 1/2 and 1/2 thing at McD's too!!!! But not dh...he wants the whole thing filled w/ sweet!

Beth Cotell said...

Sugar should only be added when it is hot or it will not dissolve!!!

I love sweet tea too but I make mine at home with Splenda. I get a nice sweet taste and no calories...of course the Splenda is probably going to cause me to grow another head but oh well...

Edwina at The Picket Fence said...

Girl, we have something in common!!!I love my sweet tea and one of my favorite places to get it, is at McD's. I just went there yesterday and got 1 large 1/2 and 1/2 sweet tea and a Wizard of Oz doll for my granddaughter.
Great blog post.
Edwina

penguinsandladybugs said...

My tea drinking friend....I feel your pain! I am a weirdo and drink unsweetened tea, but that can be a hassle as well. More folks drink sweet than unsweet and if you let the unsweet sit for a while, it can get rancid, so they need to throw it out and make a fresh batch regularly. And very often when I order unsweet, they give me sweet. Ah....the life of picky tea drinkers!

the ginhouse said...

Hmm again! What did I tell you about McD's? See what happens when you lift the ban!

Laura said...

I used to drink 500 calories in sweet tea a day..it's an easy habit to get sucked into.
Maybe you need a Long Island Iced Tea?

Michelle @ Sew-Krafty said...

Okay, here's my weird drink: 1/2 unsweet tea, 1/2 light Minute Maid lemonade. Go ahead, call me names.

But, I am so with you on the ratio! Blowing bubbles?...neat trick.

Anonymous said...

I want my sweet tea as-is, don't weaken it with that unsweetened stuff! I like McDonald's sweet tea, it's yummy!

Tracy

Anonymous said...

I'm sure that they are not experts on southern sweet tea at the McDonalds. Now, come on Judy... It's McAlister's Deli that you're looking for... =)
Joy in SC

Katie said...

Funny! You know, I'm the only person I know living in SC who does not like tea! Yep, I stick to Diet Coke. I've gone thirsty at many a church lunch...

Just Me said...

Quality customer service does not exist in most fast food establishments which is ironic since the restaurant industry is pretty much based on CUSTOMER SERVICE. How's that iced tea maker working for you? I have one too - It's my husband. Ha Ha

Michelle @ Sew-Krafty said...

I left you something in the Land of Pink!!

Toni said...

Tea- blech!

Becky said...

Hilarious! I am the same way with the half and half. I love the part where you discreetly blew bubbles.

Lisa Spence said...

Hey, I love sweet tea--the syrupy kind--and McD's has the BEST!

Thanks for your recent visit and comment on my site!

Blessings,
Lisa

Tami said...

You don't mess with my sweet tea. I am a Southerner thru and thru. Girl, that ice tea maker was a waste of money. Just get you a big 'ol pot with water and 3 family size tea bags and bring it to a boil. Add sugar while it is hot and let it dissolve. Put it in the frige and wait 'til it's cold. Now that is sweet tea. Luzianne is the best. Good luck on your tea making.

Tara said...

Bill Miller BBQ (in TX) has the BEST sweet tea, but it sounds like it might be a bit too sweet for your taste:-)