How to Make Iced Tea

Summer's perfect drink has been a favorite for generations. For best results, use whole-leaf loose tea and good water. This recipe makes about two quarts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Groceries
• Cooking Pots
• Drinking Glasses
• Pitchers
• Strainers
• 2 heaping tbsp. orange pekoe or black whole-leaf tea
• 8 c. high-quality water
• 1 c. sugar
• lemon slices or mint sprigs for garnish (optional)

1. Place the sugar and half the water in a 2-quart serving jug and stir to dissolve the sugar, then chill.
2. Bring the remaining water to boil in a nonreactive pot.
3. Remove the water from the heat as soon as it boils and add the tea.
4. Cover and steep for 5 to 8 minutes.
5. Strain the hot tea into the sugared water.
6. Add lemon slices or mint sprigs if desired, or place them in serving glasses as a garnish.
7. Fill serving glasses with ice and pour the tea in them to serve.

Tips & Warnings

• Pouring the hot tea into the cold water helps keep the tea clear.
• Any pot will work for making this recipe as long as it isn't cast iron or aluminum, which will react unfavorably with the tea.