house of grace tea for spring chicken salad luncheon
Food,  Life

The MOST FAVORITE -9th Street House of Grace Fruit Tea

Do you have a tea that is known in your community or perhaps just your family? Ours is a fruit tea..9th Street House of Grace tea. Served in one of the BEST family owned restaurants in the historical district of our little town, it continues to be the favorite tea.

Although the 9th Street House Restaurant closed in 1996, this was the recipe that was published in our local newspaper over 30 years ago, and continues to be made by many in our community.

We continue to laugh at the misspelled word that made it through the editor’s proofreading!

This tea only has four ingredients in it which makes it quick and easy to fix. No brewing tea. I have known friends who have substituted the sugar with Splenda to cut the sugar content. Feel free to make adjustments to suit your needs. It’s usually reserved for celebrations and gatherings so an occasional “sweet tea’ is a lovely indulgence.

Family members own the “House of Grace” restaurant –still offering lunch and they serve a version of that tea. I have no clue how many gallons of that delightful drink they sell each day. I had the joy of having the 9th Street House Restaurant owner’s great grandson in class and when I shared with him the photo of the newspaper clipping…he laughed.

Nope! That’s not the fruit tea they serve at the “House of Grace” restaurant operated by his family.

Who knew that wasn’t the REAL 9th Street House of Grace Fruit Tea recipe?

Regardless of the “true” recipe or not, this one has been served and loved for years in our home.

If you have had your feet under my table, chances are you have enjoyed glasses of it.

My husband is the true preparer of this. He loves it and has his own “immersion blender” that he uses to create it.

Recently, someone emailed me that they had lost their recipe. I went to the file to locate it…and my husband’s voice was heard across the room quoting the ingredients.

So, for all of you who have lived close and loved it…or for those of you who need it for celebrations in the future, here you go!

So quick and easy to prepare!

Measure the dry ingredients into a one gallon pitcher. Add the white grape juice and water to make a gallon. We use an immersion blender to mix, which will put a “froth” on top.

Feel free to skim that off before serving. Simply chill, add ice to glasses and serve with lemon wedges or fresh mint.

NOTE: Do you see that mint in the glass? It is already coming up in my garden. A welcome sign of spring!

house of grace tea for spring chicken salad luncheon

9th Street House of Grace Tea

A loved tea that was served in a local restaurant is a community and family favorite!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 16 8 oz. servings

Equipment

  • 1 gallon pitcher
  • measuring cups- dry and liquid
  • 1 immersion blender

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 C lemonade mix we use Country Time, sweetened
  • 2 C sugar
  • 1/2 C instant tea, unsweetened we use decaffeinated tea
  • 1 C white grape juice
  • 1 gallon water
  • lemon wedges and/or fresh mint, optional-add to glasses for serving

Instructions
 

  • Measure dry ingredients and add to a one gallon pitcher.
  • Add white grape juice.
  • Fill the pitcher with water to make a gallon.
  • Use an immersion blender to stir ingredients completely.
  • Chill and serve over ice with lemon wedges and/or fresh mint.

Notes

This fruit tea is a community and family favorite. It’s served whenever guests are present!
This version was printed in our local newspaper when the “9th Street House Restaurant” was still operating.
Curtis Grace and his wife, Norma, were catering and restaurant legends while living and shared this recipe with our local newspaper.  
Although the 9th Street House restaurant has been closed for years, its legacy still continues through its recipes and cookbooks.
If you are in Paducah, KY–a delicious lunch of Curtis’ favorites, along with “the tea” can be enjoyed during weekdays at the House of Grace Restaurant on Jackson Street, owned and operated by Curtis and Norma’s son and family.
TIP: If using an immersion blender to make this, you will get a froth on the top. Feel free to skim that off before serving. 
Enjoy!
Keyword fruit tea, lemonade tea, tea, white grape juice tea

I can’t help sharing the back cover of one of Curtis’ cookbooks.

Do you see his honors? Featured in Southern Living, Gourmet, Victoria, and Bon Appetit?

His son and grandchildren continue to operate the House of Grace Restaurant on Jackson Street in Paducah during lunch hours on weekdays.

If you are ever here, stop by and have the “real” 9th Street House of Grace Fruit Tea version.

I’m a fan of both. Perfect for the spring and soon to be family gatherings and celebrations.

While you are there, order the California Chicken Salad or one of the other Curtis created items on the menu.

It’s so worth every bite!

I so love Paducah. So much to love here and thankful to be a part of this community.

I can never resist an opportunity to share great finds that would work well with a recipe. I found some amazing pitchers, immersion blender and glasses that may need to be added to a wish list!

Enjoy, friends! Let me know in the comments if this is your new favorite.

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