Start by bringing 4 cups of filtered water to a rolling boil in a pot. Once boiling, add in 4 black tea bags and remove the pot from heat. Allow the tea to steep for 10-15 minutes, depending on your desired strength. Once ready, carefully remove the tea bags and let the brewed tea cool to room temperature.

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 pound of sliced fresh strawberries, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar completely. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes. Mash the strawberries with a fork to release their juices and create a chunky syrup.

After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool slightly. Pour the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher to separate the liquid from the strawberry pulp. Press down on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much juice as possible.

In a large pitcher, mix the cooled tea with the freshly made strawberry syrup. If you desire a hint of brightness, squeeze in the juice of half a lemon, stirring well. Chill the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours.

When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled Strawberry Sweet Tea over the top. Garnish each glass with fresh slices of strawberries.