Ingredients:

  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 12 standard-size black tea bags
  • 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1.75 cups granulated white sugar
  • 12 cups cold filtered water

Instructions:

  1. Bring 4 cups of filtered water to a rolling boil in a large stockpot.
  2. Remove the pot from the heat. Submerge the tea bags and add the baking soda. Steep for exactly 15 minutes.
  3. Remove the tea bags carefully with a slotted spoon. Do not squeeze the bags to prevent releasing bitter tannins into the tea.
  4. Add the granulated sugar to the hot tea concentrate. Stir vigorously until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  5. Pour the concentrate into a 1-gallon glass pitcher and add the remaining 12 cups of cold filtered water. Stir well.
  6. Allow the tea to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.
  7. Serve in glasses filled to the brim with ice, garnished with lemon or mint if desired.