Southwest Summertime Cooler (Orange-Mint Iced Tea)

A cold, refreshing drink for hot summer afternoons. Mint iced tea & orange juice, sweetened with honey. Great for both kids and adults, so it's nice to keep on hand for summer entertaining or just for the family. Prep time doesn't include the time it takes for the tea to get cold.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2  quarts cold water, divided (8 cups)
• 12  tea bags or 4  family-size tea bags
• 1⁄4 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
• 4  cups  orange juice (reconstituted frozen orange juice concentrate is fine)
• 2 -8  tablespoons honey (according to your preference for sweetness, 8 tablespoons = 1/2 cup)
• 8 -10  sprigs of fresh mint, washed thoroughly
•  ice cubes or   crushed  ice

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 quart water to a boil.
2. Remove from heat, and while water is still bubbling, add tea bags and 1/4 cup mint.
3. Cover and let steep 8 minutes, then remove and discard tea bags and mint.
4. Put remaining quart of cold water into a large pitcher or insulated jug.
5. Add hot tea to cold water.
6. Let cool to room temperature.
7. Add orange juice, honey, and mint sprigs, and mix well.
8. Store in refrigerator & serve over ice.