Quick, Simple, Full-Flavored Iced Tea

Tie strings of tea bags together (for easy removal) and heat with water in medium saucepan over medium heat until dark colored, very steamy, and small bubbles form on bottom and sides of pan (tea will register about 190 degrees), 10 to 15 minutes. Off heat, let steep for 3 minutes (no longer or tea may become bitter). Remove tea bags; pour tea into pitcher. Stir in sugar to taste, then stir in ice until melted. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

Doubling this recipe is easy, but use a large saucepan and expect the water to take a few minutes longer to reach the proper temperature. For a slightly stronger iced tea, reduce the amount of ice to 3 cups. Garnish with a thin lemon wedge to squeeze into the tea, if you like.

MINTED ICED TEA
Add 1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves, bruised with wooden spoon, to saucepan along with tea bags and water. When steeping is complete, remove tea bags and strain tea through fine-mesh strainer to remove mint.

GINGERED ICED TEA
Add one 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced thin and smashed with broad side of large chef’s knife, to saucepan along with tea bags and water. When steeping is complete, discard tea bags and strain tea through fine-mesh strainer to remove ginger.

MICROWAVE ICED TEA
Using a 2-quart Pyrex measuring cup makes this tea a one-pot drink from brewing to pouring. Exact heating time will depend on the power of your microwave and the starting temperature of the water.
Microwave tea bags and water, covered, until dark colored, very steamy, and water starts to move but not boil (tea will register about 190 degrees), 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from microwave and let steep for 3 minutes (no longer or tea may become bitter). Remove tea bags. Stir in sugar to taste, then stir in ice until melted. Serve in ice-filled glasses.