Sweet Tea Recipe

1 gallon water
4 to 5 family-size tea bags (each one is enough for a quart of tea), or 12-15 regular-size tea bags
3 cups sugar, at least
Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Sprigs of mint, for garnish (optional)

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Cover and steep for 12 to 15 minutes. For stronger tea, let it steep longer, up to 20 minutes. Add the sugar, stirring vigorously until dissolved. Allow to cool and pour over ice. Garnish as desired. Serves 16.

Recipe from Jane and Michael Stern’s Two for the Road: Our Love Affair with American Food (Houghton Mifflin, 2006, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com).