This iced tea was brewed from a batch of errant stalks of spearmint out in the garden.

I love that the mint is everywhere in my garden (gives it a bit of a wild look,) but at the same time it makes me crazy that it is everywhere in my garden! It is a vigorous, rapidly-spreading little plant. It is also a beautiful, tall, fuzzy-leaved and purple-flowered!

From my fist full of tall stalks, the sweet refreshing scent of spearmint inspired me to throw some leaves into a batch of fresh-brewed iced tea. On this prickly, sticky hot day this cold beverage has been most refreshing!

Spearmint Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 8 tea bags, black tea
• 8-10 leaves (about 1/4-cup) fresh spearmint, washed, plus extra leaves for garnish

Directions:

1. Remove the paper labels from the tea bags. Place them in a large heatproof bowl or 2-quart Pyrex measuring cup along with the spearmint leaves.
2. Heat 8 cups of fresh, cold water to boiling. Pour the boiling water into the bowl over the tea and spearmint. Use a wooden spoon to gently stir and combine the contents.
3. Allow the mixture to sit and steep for 10 minutes. (You can give it longer if you like your tea flavor really strong.)
4. Use a slotted spoon to remove and discard the tea bags and leaves. When cool enough, Transfer the tea to a pitcher and place the pitcher into the fridge to chill.
5. Serve very cold in a tall glass, over ice and with a leaf of spearmint as a garnish.