Spiked Sweet Iced Tea

Another great recipe from Michael Chiarello. Quick, easy and oh-so-good!

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Yields: 1 quart

Ingredients

• 6  cups sugar
• 3  cups water, plus
• 2  quarts water, divided
• 1 1⁄2 ounces  loose  black tea leaves (or 3/4 cup)
• 2  ounces  your favorite  whiskey (recommended ( Maker's Mark) or 2  ounces Bourbon, per serving (recommended, Maker's Mark)
•  ice cube
• 2  lemons, zest of
• 1⁄2 bunch of fresh mint

Directions

1. Combine sugar and 3 cups water in a non-reactive saucepan.
2. Slowly heat until sugar melts.
3. Remove from heat and cool.
4. Infuse the black tea in 1 quart of just boiled water for 2 minutes.
5. Strain tea into a pitcher and then add 1 quart of room temperature water.
6. Combine the tea and the cooled simple syrup, mixing well.
7. Refrigerate until cool.
8. To serve, fill a 12-ounce glass with ice cubes, a pinch of zest, and a sprig of mint.
9. Add 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon and fill to the top with the sweetened tea.
10. Stir and serve.
11. Repeat as needed.