Homemade Iced Tea

Even easier than sun tea.

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon water, filtered preferred
• 12 tea bags*

*Or an equivalent amount loose tea tied up in cheese cloth or in a large tea ball.

Directions:

Put the water into the container it will be served from, a one gallon container, like a sun tea jar or a clean milk jug. If you can't easily put in/take out the tea bags or container, use a large sauce pan. The water doesn't have to be hot, but warm or room temperature works best. Add the tea bags. Let it soak until it's to your liking. Remove the tea bags, put it in your jug (use a funnel), and chill. It is best when at least a day old, and keeps on getting mellower. It is a little bitter the first day or two.

This is as easy as can be, and it costs a whole lot less than store bought tea. I sweeten it by the glass so that everyone has tea that is to their liking. If you want to sweeten the whole jug, put the sugar in when the water is warm so that it dissolves, or make a simple syrup.

You can throw in some sliced lemons or limes and use any flavor tea you like. Fruit juice is good also.

In the summer heat, having whole gallons of tea chilled and ready is a cheap luxury!

By Free2B from North Royalton, OH