Black Tea Lemonade

We love Black Tea Lemonade from Starbucks, and I wanted to figure out how to make it at home, so I started searching a myriad of websites to get some ideas on how to start. This is our version which we find very refreshing on a hot day, or in the evening instead of coffee/tea. This needs time to cool, so make it ahead.

• Ready In: 31 mins
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 1 2 litre Juice Jug

Ingredients

• 7  tea bags (I use Earl Grey as we like the Bergamont flavor)
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar
• 5  cups water
• 4 -5  cups  ice cubes
• 6  lemons, cut in 1/2 and drained of juices to make 1 cup

• Optional

• 3  sprigs mint or 2 -3  tablespoons  crushed dried mint

Directions

1. Boil 5 cups of water in tea kettle, then transfer boiling water to saucepan.
2. Add sugar, mix till disolved.
3. Add teabags, and mint (if desired), and bring back to boil.
4. Take off burner, and let tea bags and mint steep for 7-10 minutes, depending upon how strong you like your tea.
5. Discard tea bags and mint.
6. Add Lemon Juice and stir well.
7. Add ice cubes, and they will begin melting right away.
8. Stir, then pour contents into juice jug - ice cubes don't have to finish melting, they will do so in the jug.
9. Chill well; if you are in a hurry, serve over several ice cubes in a glass.
10. The flavor is quite different when adding the mint, so try it both ways to see which way you prefer it.
11. Note: This can also be made with limes, all other ingredients and measurements remain the same.