Tea Recipe

1. Boil water

Pour 4 cups of fresh cold water into a kettle or saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

2. Steep tea

Remove from heat and add 4 black tea bags (or the equivalent loose-leaf). Let steep 3 to 5 minutes for standard strength (3 minutes for lighter, 5 minutes for stronger).

3. Remove tea leaves

After steeping, remove the tea bags or strain out the loose leaves to stop extraction and avoid bitterness.

4. Sweeten while hot

With the tea still hot, stir in 4 teaspoons granulated sugar (or 2 teaspoons honey) until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness, adding up to 2 more teaspoons sugar if desired.

5. Finish and serve (hot)

If serving hot, pour into cups. Add milk or cream (about 1/8 cup per cup) if desired and garnish with a lemon slice.

6. Finish and serve (iced)

To serve iced, let sweetened tea cool slightly, then pour over a pitcher filled with 2 cups ice or into glasses with ice. Stir and garnish with lemon slices or mint.

7. Season and serve (hot)

For hot unsweetened tea, pour the brewed tea into cups. Add a lemon slice or a mint sprig if desired.

8. Make iced unsweetened

To make iced unsweetened tea, let the brewed tea cool to room temperature, then pour over a pitcher or glasses filled with 2 cups of ice. Add lemon or mint for brightness.

9. Milk/cream: If you choose to add milk or cream to black tea, add it after the tea is poured into the cup to avoid curdling and to better control color and richness.

10. Iced variation: For clearer iced tea, cool brewed tea in the refrigerator before pouring over ice, or use an ice bath to chill quickly. Adjust sweetness after chilling, as cold temperatures mute sweetness slightly.