Iced Tea

A wonderfully refreshing summer time drink. I like to use orange pekoe tea and spring, filtered, or distilled water for this straightforward brew.

3 cups water
6 regular-size tea bags (about ½ oz total)
½-1 cup sugar
7 cups cold water

Garnish:
granulated sugar
lemon wedges
mint sprigs

In a small saucepan, bring the 3 cups water to a gentle boil. Add the tea bags, remove the saucepan from the heat, and cover. Steep for 15 minutes.

Remove the tea bags without squeezing them (which would add bitterness) and pour the steeped tea into a 2½ qt heatproof container (like a large Pyrex liquid measure). Add the 7 cups cold water and mix.

Let cool at room temperature and then refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice, garnished with lemon wedges, and mint sprigs.

Makes about 2½ qts.