Šumadijski čaj – Recipe
Šumadijski čaj
Serbian tea from the Šumadija region of Srbija
A warm plum brandy and caramelized sugar
One bottle or 4 cups homemade Serbian Rakija ( You can also substitute šljivovitz, which is sold at most Bevmo stores)
One cup granulated sugar
Place the sugar in a metal pot and warm it on a burner.
Sugar should cover the whole bottom of the pot.
If you have a gas burner, add 1 or 2 spoons of water first, so the sugar doesn’t burn the bottom of the pot.
Warm sugar until its caramelized – it should have that golden color.
Mix in one half water. Gradually stir in the rest of the water and continue stirring.
As sugar dissolves with the water, add in the rakija.
Serve hot.
*The secret in preparing this tea is to remove the pot from the burner as soon as it first starts boiling. Then place the pot back on the burner and repeat. You should repeat this process of boiling and removing the pot from burner at least three times.