How do I make iced tea with mint?

[jenP]

Okay, this is probably soooo basic, but sorry, I don't know how to do it! I have tons of lovely spearmint growing in the garden. (Taking over the garden,actually!) I love regular black tea or green tea served lightly sweetened with honey or sugar and iced, and I want to add mint. Last year, I tried chopping up the mint and throwing it in with the tea while it was still hot, then leaving the mint in the jug. It gave some mint flavor, but not enough, plus I didn't care for gobs of mint leaves clogging the pitcher or being in my glass.

Is there a way to make a mint extract that I can add to the tea? If so, how?

I read a recipe this weekend for mint juleps that included making mint extract by putting the leaves in bourbon - it sounds good and I'm going to try that recipe, but for iced tea I (usually) don't want the bourbon. Especially for my friends that do not drink!

Thanks for any help!

[Rani]

Well, we always just put a few sprigs of mint in the tea pitcher after we made it.  I do for hot tea, mix it in with the tea leaves during steeping.  You could always boil some mint by itself in water...a small amount...then add the mint water to the tea as well?

[Sol_y_Paz]

I put it fresh off the mint plant in each glass of tea served, I don't chop it.  Great with some lime too.  Or lemon.

I think for what you are thinking of you could grab a bunch of mint and throw it in with the tea leaves when you make tea, that way it is fixed just like the tea and you don't have springs or leaves to deal with.  

[laohaire]

I bring water to a boil and then stuff in the mint sprigs to steep for a while. I don't just use a couple of leaves, I put in a bunch. Then I strain and refrigerate.

[HollyBearsMom]

Since you like sweet tea I would make a mint simple syrup to keep in the fridge. It won't over power the tea but will give a really nice mint flavor. Spearmint s also one of the milder mints so if you want a stronger flavor use more and steep longer.