Perfect Sweet Tea

Directions

1. 1
   First off, go ahead and buy yourself an electric kettle. You'll be amazed how much you will use and enjoy one.
2. 2
   Boil a kettle of water. A regular kettle will work too or just a pot of water. Stainless steel pots are better. Other pots may give the water a funky flavor.
3. 3
   As soon as the water comes to a boil, pour into a china teapot.
4. 4
   Add the family size tea bags to the water, cover and steep for 5 minutes only. Any longer and it gets bitter.
5. 5
   Remove tea bags after 5 minutes. Do not squeeze!
6. 6
   Add the sugar to the hot tea and stir well.
7. 7
   This is your basic syrup. It doesn't matter how much water you use up to this point.
8. 8
   Take a gallon pitcher and add some cold water, about 1 quart.
9. 9
   Now add your hot stirred sweet tea to the cold water and finish filling the gallon pitcher with cold water. Stir and enjoy!
10. 10
    Best served chilled over ice with lemon slices on the side.
11. 11
    If any is left, refrigerate for up to a week.