Spiked Sweet Tea

Ingredients

• 0.5 bunch mint leaves fresh
• 2 servings ice cubes 
• 2  lemon zest 
• 6 cups sugar 
• 1.5 ounces loose tea leaves black (or)
• 3 cups water divided

Equipment

• sauce pan

Directions

1. ounces your favorite whiskey or bourbon per serving (recommended: Maker's Mark)
2. Combine sugar and 3 cups water in a non-reactive saucepan. 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. Strain tea into a pitcher and then add 1 quart of room temperature water.
5. Combine the tea and the cooled simple syrup, mixing well. Refrigerate until cool.
6. To serve, fill a 12-ounce glass with ice cubes, a pinch of zest, and a sprig of mint.
7. Add 2 ounces whiskey or bourbon and fill to the top with the sweetened tea. Stir and serve. Repeat as needed.