Iced Green Tea

12 cups of water
1/4 cup sugar
3 inches fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
12 to 16 green tea bags
strawberries (optional)
key limes or limes, quartered (optional)
orange peel strips (optional)
ice cubes

In a large saucepan combine water, sugar, and ginger. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add tea bags; cover and let stand for 3 minutes. Remove tea bags; discard. Strain ginger from tea; discard ginger. Transfer tea to 2 gallon punch bowl. Cover; cool several hours. If desired, chill. If desired, alternate strawberries, lime quarters, and orange peel strips on 12-inch skewers. Serve tea over ice cubes; use fruit skewers as swizzle sticks.