Mint Tea

Ingredients

1. 1 quart boiling water, plus more for heating the teapot
2. 1 tablespoon loose green tea, or 3 bags green tea
3. 3/4 cup sugar
4. 3 cups firmly packed mint leaves and tender stems, crushed, plus 4 sprigs for garnish

1. Pour a little boiling water into a large teapot, swish it around to heat the pot, and pour the water out. Add the tea to the teapot and pour in 1 cup of the boiling water. Cover and let steep 3 minutes.
2. Add the sugar and mint leaves and stems to the teapot. Pour in the remaining 3 cups boiling water. Cover and let steep for 5 minutes. Stir. Continue to steep for 5 minutes more. Strain the mint tea into cups or heatproof glasses.