Minty Lemon Iced Tea

• MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

1. Basic Simple Syrup
2. 1 cup mint leaves, plus 16 sprigs
3. 8 cups cold water
4. 8 Irish breakfast tea bags
5. 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
6. 1 lemon, thinly sliced, for garnish
7. Ice cubes

1. Prepare the Basic Simple Syrup as directed, adding 8 mint sprigs before bringing it to a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Strain the mint syrup into a blender and puree with the 1 cup of mint leaves.
2. In a large saucepan, bring the cold water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until chilled.
3. Pour the tea into a pitcher, add the lemon juice and stir in 3/4 cup of the mint syrup, or more to taste; refrigerate the remaining syrup for later use. Serve in 8 tall glasses over ice, garnished with a mint sprig and a slice of lemon.