Drink Service Recipe
(sweet/unsweet tea/water/lemonade includes cups/ice)
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Ingredients
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Sweet Tea Station
Unsweet Tea Station
Lemonade Station
Water Service
Service & Garnish Supplies
Method
Sweet Tea Station
- 1
Brew strong tea concentrate
Bring 4 liters of water to a rolling boil. Place 12 black tea bags into a large heatproof container or commercial brewer. Pour the boiling water over the tea bags, cover, and steep for 8 minutes for a strong concentrate.
- 2
Sweeten and dilute
While the tea is still hot, stir in 2 cups granulated sugar until fully dissolved to make sweet tea syrup. Allow the syrup to cool briefly (15–20 minutes). Once cooler, strain out tea bags and transfer concentrate to a 5-gallon dispenser. Add 4 liters cold water, stir or use dispenser tap to mix until evenly combined.
- 3
Chill and serve
Fill the dispenser with ice if desired or place the dispenser over an ice-filled tub to keep cold. Add lemon slices to the dispenser or offer on the side. Set out cups, stirrers, signage labeled 'Sweet Tea', and a bin of ice for self-serve.
Unsweet Tea Station
- 4
Brew unsweet tea
Bring 3 liters of water to a boil. Add 10 black tea bags to a heatproof container and pour boiling water over them. Cover and steep for 6–8 minutes, depending on desired strength. Remove tea bags and allow to cool slightly.
- 5
Dilute and prepare dispenser
Transfer the brewed tea to a dispenser. Add 3 liters of cold water to dilute to serving strength. Place ice in a separate bin for guests to add or add ice to the dispenser if it is designed to handle ice.
- 6
Finish setup
Set out lemon wedges, cups, stirrers, signage labeled 'Unsweet Tea', and an ice bin. Keep a spare pitcher of cold water nearby for quick dilution if the tea is too strong for guests.
Lemonade Station
- 7
Make simple syrup
In a saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar with 1 liter boiling water. Stir until sugar dissolves completely to make simple syrup. Remove from heat and let cool to warm.
- 8
Juice lemons
Juice 6 fresh lemons to yield approximately 1 cup fresh lemon juice (adjust as needed). Strain to remove seeds and pulp if a smoother lemonade is desired.
- 9
Assemble lemonade
In a 5-gallon dispenser, combine the simple syrup and lemon juice. Add 4 liters cold water and stir or mix using the dispenser tap until balanced. Taste and adjust: add more water for milder lemonade or a touch more sugar if too tart.
- 10
Chill and serve
Place dispenser on ice or add ice to the beverage if appropriate. Garnish with lemon slices or offer them on the side. Label 'Lemonade' and set out cups, stirrers, and an ice bin.
Water Service
- 11
- 12
Service & Cleanup
- 13
Setup
Arrange beverage stations with clear signage (Sweet / Unsweet / Lemonade / Water). Place dispensers on sturdy tables with trays or ice tubs underneath. Ensure ladles or taps are functioning and provide napkins and trash receptacles nearby.
- 14
Refill & monitor
Assign staff to monitor levels, replenish ice and beverages, and wipe spills. Keep extra tea concentrate, simple syrup, sugar, lemons, and bottled water on hand for quick refills.
- 15
Cleanup
At the end of service, empty and rinse dispensers, pack leftover ingredients properly (refrigerate perishable items), collect trash, and return rental equipment. Sanitize tables and surfaces used for beverage service.