Cold-brewed tea - opinions?

I should do this. I buy the big jugs of Tradewinds unsweetened ice tea. It's very good, but I could probably save money by brewing my own stuff.

I like all things cold. I'll drink iced coffee and iced tea all winter long.

 

Simple syrup

 

I use my mother's recipe. Three quarts of water in a pot, bring to a boil. Drop in half a cup of sugar and stir to dissolve, then six decaf teabags and two flavored (I prefer Bigelow's Constant Comment). Let sit for a few hours to cool. Take five or six mint leaves from the garden and put into the bottom of a pitcher. Pour tea into the pitcher, stick in the fridge. Delicious iced tea awaits soon after. I make that year-round.

I am most definitely a loose hot tea person (2-3 cups a night in the newsroom), but it's always a treat at home to have it iced.