Step 1

Pour 8 cups of cold water into a pitcher with a lid.

Step 2

Place tea bags inside the pitcher, with tea tags hanging out of the pitcher.

Step 3

Place the pitcher in the refrigerator overnight or up to 12 hours.

Step 4

Remove tea bags and discard. If tea bags burst, strain tea mixture through a screen sieve.

Step 5

Heat the remaining ½ cup of water to a simmer, and remove from heat.

Step 6

Pour sugar into heated water, stir to dissolve.

Step 7

Pour sugar mixture into cold tea. Stir to incorporate sugar mixture

Step 8

Serve over ice.

Step 9

Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.