My Favorite Southern Made Sweet Tea

Step 1: If using tap water, let tap run for about 30 seconds to get all the stale water out of the pipe and fill a saucepan with 2 quarts fresh water.

Step 2: Bring water almost to a boil but not quite, remove from heat and add tea bags to pan.

Step 3: Let steep for 12-15 minutes depending on how strong you like it.

Step 4: Remove tea bags.

Step 5: Add sugar to pan and stir till sugar is dissolved.

Step 6: Pour tea and sugar mixture into a gallon pitcher and fill the rest of the way up with water. If using a glass pitcher, let tea and sugar mixture cool before adding to pitcher. Let tap run again for 30 seconds if using tap water before filling pitcher.

Step 7: Stir and serve over ice. Refrigerate any unused portions.