Refreshing Lemonade Iced Tea

This lemonade iced tea comes together quickly with just a few simple steps. The key is balancing the strength of the tea with the tartness of the lemon and the right amount of sweetness.

1. Step 1: Don't steep tea longer than 8 minutes as it can become bitter.

   Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, remove from heat and add the tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes for regular strength tea, or up to 8 minutes for stronger tea.

2. Step 2: Room temperature lemons yield more juice than cold ones.

   While the tea is steeping, juice the lemons. For maximum juice extraction, roll the lemons on the counter with firm pressure before cutting and juicing them.

3. Step 3: Creating a simple syrup ensures the sugar dissolves evenly throughout the drink.

   In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of water and the sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves to create a simple syrup. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

4. Step 4: Don't squeeze tea bags too aggressively as this can release bitter compounds.

   Remove the tea bags from the brewed tea, gently squeezing them to extract additional flavor. Pour the tea into a large pitcher.

5. Step 5: Adjust sweetness to your preference by adding more or less simple syrup or honey.

   Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of cold water, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the pitcher. Stir well to combine. Add honey if using, and stir until dissolved.

6. Step 6: Chilling allows the flavors to meld together.

   Add ice cubes to the pitcher and stir to chill the lemonade iced tea. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

7. Step 7: Slap mint leaves between your palms before garnishing to release their aromatic oils.

   To serve, fill glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade iced tea, and garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves if desired.

This lemonade iced tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor actually improves after the first day as the tea and lemon flavors continue to meld. For a special twist, try using different tea varieties like green tea or herbal teas.