Sweet Iced Tea

Ingredients:

12 bags black tea;

1 lemon, thinly sliced;

1 3/4 cups sugar;

mint sprigs (optional);

ice.

Preparation:

In a large pot, bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Add the tea bags, cover and steep for 15 minutes; discard the tea bags. Add the sugar and lemon slices and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Transfer the tea to a 1-gallon pitcher. Stir in 7 cups cold water and the sprigs of mint, if using. Refrigerate until chilled; serve over ice.