1-First Step: Mise en Place: Prepare all ingredients. Measure 8 cups water into a large pot. Have tea bags, sugar, lemon juice, and slices ready. This setup keeps things smooth, especially for beginners.

2-Second Step: Boil the Water: Bring water to a rolling boil over high heat, about 5 minutes. Boiling releases maximum flavors from the tea bags. Remove from heat immediately to avoid scorching.

3-Third Step: Steep the Tea: Add 6 black tea bags to the hot water. Let steep for 5-7 minutes for strong black iced tea. Longer steep equals bolder taste; stir gently halfway. For iced green tea, steep only 3 minutes at 175°F water to prevent bitterness.

4-Fourth Step: Sweeten While Hot: Remove tea bags, squeezing gently. Stir in 1 cup sugar until fully dissolved, creating iced tea with simple syrup effect. This step ensures even sweetness without gritty bits. For perfect iced tea ratio, taste and adjust.

5-Fifth Step: Add Lemon and Cool: Mix in 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, or speed up with an ice bath. Stir in mint if using for extra refreshment.

6-Final Step: Chill and Serve: Pour into a pitcher with 2 cups ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices. Serve over more ice in glasses. Keeps refreshing for hours. Yields 8 servings.