4 large family-sized tea bags (or 8 regular), preferably Luzianne or Tetley
About a quart of cold water
2 1/2 cups of sugar
Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and add enough cold water to make a gallon of sweetened tea. Serve over lots of ice.
Rita Forrester, who makes the sweet tea for the Carter Family Fold's Saturday night shows. Forrester is the daughter of Janette Carter and the granddaughter of Sara and A.P. Carter.