Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water
  • 3 Family-Size black tea bags
  • 0.125 tsp baking soda
  • 1.25 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 cups cold water

Instructions:

  1. Bring 4 cups of filtered water to a rolling boil in a large saucepan.
  2. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda.
  3. Submerge the tea bags into the hot water and let them steep for 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Remove the tea bags carefully with a spoon. Do not squeeze the bags to avoid releasing bitter tannins.
  5. Add the granulated sugar to the hot tea concentrate and stir vigorously until completely dissolved.
  6. Pour the tea concentrate into a 2-quart heat-proof pitcher and add the remaining 4 cups of cold water.
  7. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature on the counter before refrigerating to prevent cloudiness. Serve over ice.