Easy Shrimp Cocktail

about 2 quarts water

lemon, quartered

or 2 bay leaves

to 15 whole black peppercorns

salt, or to taste (1 tablespoon salt to 1 pound of shrimp cooked in 2 quarts of water is a good ratio)

12-15 count (16-20 count okay) raw shrimp, deveined and peeled with tails left on

icebath

cocktail sauce, for serving (storebought or homemade, see blog post for recipe links)