In the South or in Texas-you know we are our own entity:) But anyway, in the summer in the South it is HOT and we drink a lot of iced tea.  There is even a restaurant you can drive thru and pick up a large iced tea, in a styrofoam cup, of course, for $1.46! 
I remember my grandmother would make a pot of regular iced tea and a pot of sweet iced tea every morning. When I would visit I would drink that entire pot of sweet tea. I say pot because she would make it in an old coffee pot. And, every night with dinner my mom would give us a large glass of iced tea. Looking back I am not sure how I went to sleep at night. 
Even though my brother in law is from Philadelphia he drinks iced tea ALL day! When he comes to visit he goes through pitchers and pitchers of the stuff.  And can you blame him? It is the perfect summer cool drink with a kick of caffeine. But, but… there is a trick or secret to the perfect pitcher of iced tea…recipe is below.

 

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Perfect Iced Tea

Makes about 8-10 glasses

10 cups water
4 large tea bags (Lipton or Luzianne or Twinings)
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 lemon, sliced

In a large saucepan bring 5 cups of water to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in baking soda.  Add tea bags and let steep for 15 minutes.

Remove tea bags, but DO NOT squeeze-it will make it bitter.

Pour concentrated tea into a large pitcher and add the remaining 5 cups of water.  Pour over ice and add a slice of lemon.