Sweet Georgia Iced Tea

The house wine of the South. Properly sweet — the sugar goes in while the tea is hot, never after — and poured over a mountain of ice with lemon. One pitcher never survives a porch afternoon.

Directions

1. Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil, kill the heat, and add the tea bags and baking soda (the secret to smooth, never-bitter tea).
2. Steep 10 minutes — no longer — then remove the bags without squeezing them.
3. Stir in the sugar while the tea is still hot, until fully dissolved.
4. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and refrigerate until cold.
5. Serve over lots of ice with lemon slices and a sprig of mint.