Bring 1.5 L of water to a vigorous boil. Remove from heat and add the 6 black tea bags. Steep, covered, for 6 minutes for a strong concentrate. For a slightly lighter tea, steep 4–5 minutes; for fuller flavor, up to 8 minutes. Avoid over-steeping more than 10 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness.

Sweeten and flavor

While the tea is still hot, remove the tea bags (gently squeeze each against the side of the pot to extract liquid, then discard). Stir in 0.75 cups granulated sugar until fully dissolved. Add 0.25 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, 0.25 cups orange juice (optional for a brighter citrus note), and 1 tsp coarse salt. Stir thoroughly to combine. Taste and adjust: add up to 2 tbsp more sugar if you prefer sweeter tea or additional lemon (1 tbsp at a time) for more brightness.

Cool down the concentrate

Let the sweetened tea concentrate come to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes), then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until cold. Cooling before diluting preserves clarity and prevents excess dilution from melting ice later.

Finish & Serve

Dilute to drinking strength

In a large pitcher, combine the chilled tea concentrate with 1.5 L cold water. Stir and taste: the standard ratio here yields a balanced iced tea. If you prefer a stronger brew, reduce the cold water by 250–500 ml. If too strong, add more cold water in 125 ml increments.

Serve over ice

Fill serving glasses with ice (about 2/3 full). Pour the diluted iced tea over the ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig if using. Serve immediately.

Storage

Store any leftover iced tea covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir or gently shake before serving as separation can occur. Do not freeze. If flavor has faded, add a splash of fresh lemon juice or a teaspoon of sugar per glass to brighten it up.