Peppermint Iced Tea for a Party

Recipe Directions

• 1 gallon cold tap water, divided use
• 3 family-size tea bags
• 1 cup sugar, optional
• 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract, optional
• Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish, optional

1. Fill a 4-cup glass measure with very cold tap water. Remove paper tabs from tea bags, if necessary, and place in water. Microwave, uncovered on high, 8 minutes. Carefully remove from microwave and place a plate over top to cover. Let steep 30 minutes.
2. In a gallon-size beverage container, mix sugar and peppermint extract with 1 cup cold water. Stir to begin dissolving sugar. Remove tea bags from the concentrate (do not squeeze bags!), pour into pitcher, and stir briskly. Add cold tap water to fill pitcher to 1 gallon, and stir well. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving, or fill 8 iced tea glasses with ice, and add tea. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.

* Cooking Notes

 

Decaffeinated or regular tea can be used. Six regular-size tea bags can be substituted if you don’t have family-size. Tea bag “rounds” without the string and tab attached are easier, if you can find them. Refrigerate leftover tea, covered, for up to 24 hours.