Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail

0 Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add tea bags and brew according to package directions, 3 to 4 minutes. 
1 Strain off tea bags (do not squeeze or press down on the tea bags as you strain them or the tea will be bitter).
2 While tea is brewing, combine 1 cup water, sugar, ginger, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and simmer just until the sugar is fully dissolved. Pour syrup through a fine strainer (this will remove any pieces of ginger or lemon pulp).
3 Combine tea and simple syrup. (Note: Taste the tea as you go and reduce the amount of simple syrup if you’d prefer it less sweet.)
4 Stir bourbon and bitters into the tea. 
5 At this point the tea can be refrigerated for up to a week.
6 Serve tea over ice with lemon slices and / or fresh mint for garnish.