Fresh Mint Iced Tea

This just might be your new favorite summer beverage. It’s hella obvious but I just started making it recently. 
The Buddhist retreat center where I go twice annually serves this oh so refreshing iced mint tea everyday at lunch in the summer. There’s no air conditioning in this facility; it used to be a monastery in the 1930’s. Last summer it was 98 degrees all week on retreat, and this drink was my midday salvation. I just made a huge batch of this for a recent Jewish holiday and it was a huge hit with teens and adults alike. As my daughter put it, “it’s so nice to have another healthy beverage option”. I love water but have been reaching for this lately. It’s a lovely, cooling palette cleanser that is super simple to put together. Very easily serves a crowd in a large drink dispenser. 

You’ll need: 
Mint tea bags (amount depends on how much you’re making. There’s no set amount but you want an iced tea color) 
A bunch or two of fresh mint leaves 
Optional sliced lemon 

Fill your container with cold water and steep a bunch of tea bags, about 20 minutes for a smaller serving and at least 30 minutes for a pitcher or drink dispenser. Add a nice handful of fresh mint leaves, some ice cubes, and lemon slices if desired (or as garnish as seen here). And remember everything tastes better in a mason jar.