Trap House Tea Regular Recipe

Boil water

Bring 8 cups of fresh water to a rolling boil in a kettle or medium saucepan over high heat.

Steep tea

Remove from heat and add 4 black tea bags. Cover and steep for 6 to 8 minutes for a strong, full-bodied brew (increase steep time to 8 minutes for stronger flavor).

Remove bags

Remove the tea bags, gently pressing them against the side of the pot with a spoon to extract excess liquid, then discard the bags.

While the tea is still hot, stir in 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon honey until fully dissolved. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired (add up to 1 more tablespoon sugar if you prefer sweeter).

Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Let the tea cool at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. For faster chilling, pour the tea into a shallow container to increase surface area.

Fill four tall glasses with ice (about 1/2 cup each). Divide the chilled tea among the glasses. Garnish each glass with an orange slice and 2 mint leaves if using. Serve immediately. If you prefer it sweeter or tarter, add a splash more lemon or a pinch of sugar to an individual glass.