This recipe makes 3 1/2 quarts of iced tea - enough to fill an average sized "sun tea" jar.
Boil water in a large pot.
Rinse mint leaves - keep whole. I do this in a colander - inspect and rinse well - I always find lots of sticky little critters on mint.
Add mint to pot of boiling water.
Cover pot, remove from heat and let steep for 2 1/2 - 3 hours.
Remove whole mint leaves with a slotted spoon. Let leaves drain and dry in colander. Leaves can be reused once for another batch of tea.
Pour tea thru a fine screen into your storage container. I use a handled screen that fits over the top of my sun tea jar and pour/ladle the tea thru. If you don't have a screen you could use a sifter or even a kitchen towel. Please use something - you don't want bits and pieces of leaves floating around.
Stir in sugar to taste. ***NOTE*** I prefer a lightly sweetened tea so I add 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup sugar. Local Meadow Tea is made MUCH sweeter - I'd estimate they use 1 cup - 1 1/2 cup sugar. Start with the lower amount of sugar and add in any additional sugar until you reach desired sweetness.
Refrigerate, serve cold. Enjoy : )
Keyword drinks, fresh mint, iced tea, meadow tea, mint