8 cups cold water, divided
3 tablespoons loose tea of 8 tea bags
sugar or honey, to taste
2 fresh lemons

Heat 4 cups of water until boiling in a 3 quart saucepan or kettle. Remove kettle from heat and pour hot water over tea bags or leaves in a stainless steel or crockery bowl. Cover and allow to steam for 5 minutes.

Note: The water may be microwaved in a bowl or Pyrex measure.

Stir after 5 minutes and strain or remove tea bags (do not squeeze).

Add 4 cups cold water to glass pitcher. Slice one of the lemons thinly and add to cold water. Pour the strained tea and slightly cooled tea into the bowl and add the juice of 1 lemon.

Cover and let stand until ready to serve. To prevent cloudiness, do not refrigerate.

To serve, pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices over the edge of the glass. Serve with honey and sugar available at the table.