Iced Green Tea

Step 1: Place tea bags in a large bowl or pitcher and pour in 4 1/2 cups room temperature water; let stand 1 hour. Remove and discard tea bags.

Step 2: Pour 1/2 cup tea into a measured glass and set side at room temperature. Chill remaining tea.

Step 3: Meanwhile remove zest from lemons in long strips with a vegetable peeler; set lemons aside. In a small cup or bowl combine the zest, sugar and salt and massage with your hands until zest is limp and sugar is damp (1 minute). Let sit for 1 hour.

Step 4: Place lemon zest mixture in a saucepan along with the reserved 1/2 cup tea. Place over medium heat and cook stirring constantly for 1 minute or sugar dissolves. Let it cool at room temperature. Strain syrup through a fine mesh into a pitcher; discard solids.

Step 5: Squeeze juice from reserved lemons through a sieve into a measuring cup --you need 1/2 cup juice; discard solids and add the juice to the pitcher along with the chilled tea; stir to combine.

Step 6: Divide among ice-filled glasses and garnish with a lemon slice or lemon wheel if desired.