Ingredients:

  • 8 individual tea bags
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large lemon, sliced into rounds
  • Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Boil water. Bring 2 cups of the filtered water to a rolling boil in your saucepan. <small>Note: Using only half the water now creates the concentrate.</small>
  2. Add baking soda. Stir in the 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda <strong>until the water stops fizzing</strong>.
  3. Steep bags. Remove the pan from heat and submerge the 8 tea bags. <small>Note: Do not squeeze the bags, as this releases extra tannins.</small>
  4. Wait 5 minutes. Let the tea sit undisturbed <strong>until it turns a deep, dark mahogany</strong>.
  5. Remove bags. Gently lift the bags out. Again, resist the urge to squeeze them!
  6. Dissolve sugar. Stir in the 1/2 cup of sugar <strong>until the liquid is completely clear and no grains remain</strong>.
  7. Dilute concentrate. Pour the hot tea into your pitcher and add the remaining 2 cups of room temperature water.
  8. Chill. Let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes before moving it to the fridge. <small>Note: Sudden cooling causes cloudiness.</small>
  9. Garnish. Add the lemon rounds and mint sprigs <strong>until the aroma is bright and fresh</strong>.
  10. Serve. Pour over plenty of ice and enjoy immediately.