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Learn how to make sun tea — the classic summertime treat! This easy recipe is perfect for cookouts, picnics, and lazy afternoons on a shady porch swing.
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While the hot and humid days of summer are synonymous with ice cream, lemonade, banana pudding, and other cool indulgences, there’s nothing quite like a nostalgic glass of Southern sun tea. With just the right amount of sugar and a squeeze of lemon, it’s smooth, crisp, and refreshing!
What is sun tea?
Sun tea is simply iced tea made with the power of the sunshine! Instead of boiling water to brew the tea, this tea is brewed in the heat of the sun.
The truth is, you don’t need hot water to brew tea. In fact, tea leaves release their flavor with they get wet — no matter the temperature. The process is just faster and the flavor more intense when the water is hot.
Since it takes longer for the sun to heat up a jar of water than it would take to brew a pot of tea in boiling water on the stovetop or in the microwave, sun tea has a more mild flavor than traditionally brewed tea.
Is sun tea safe?
Yes! Just be sure to follow these simple rules:
- Use a clean glass container with a lid — such as a pitcher or a 1/2-gallon mason jar.
- Use filtered or distilled water to avoid any potential bacteria from tap water.
- Do not leave the tea in the sun for more than 4 hours.
- Add sugar or other flavor garnishes at the end.
- Refrigerate the tea as soon as it’s done steeping.
How many tea bags for sun tea?
I typically prepare a half gallon (8 cups) of sun brewed tea at a time, which requires 2 family-size tea bags (or 8 regular size tea bags). A good general rule to remember is 4 family-size tea bags (or 16 regular tea bags) per gallon for a flavorful pitcher of tea.
How long should sun tea sit in the sun?
This depends on the temperature outside, and on how strong you like your tea. On a very hot day, you might only need to leave your tea in the sun for 1 hour. On cooler days, it may require 3 hours. Just keep an eye on the pitcher and bring the tea in when it looks like it’s ready. No matter what, do not leave the tea out in the sun for more than 4 hours to avoid the potential growth of harmful bacteria.
Ingredients
You really only need two ingredients for a simple batch of homemade sun tea. Of course, you can add extras (like a sweetener) if you like. Here’s the quick overview. As always, you’ll find specific measurements in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Water: use distilled or filtered water for safety.
- Tea bags: I use two family-size Luzianne iced tea bags per half-gallon of tea. Black tea is most common, but you can use any type of tea that you like — green tea, herbal tea, etc.
- Ice: for serving a perfectly chilled glass!
- Optional: sugar, honey, agave, or a simple syrup to sweeten the tea if you like.
- Garnish: add even more flavor to each glass of tea with fresh mint leaves, fresh basil, fresh citrus (like lemon slices or lime slices), or fresh berries.
How to Make Sun Tea Safely
I vividly remember my mom brewing sun tea on the deck when I was a child. There’s something so nostalgic about a glass of the old-fashioned summertime treat!
- Place water in a glass pitcher or jar with a lid.
- Add the tea bags and seal the lid.
- Set the pitcher in a warm, sunny spot.
- Let it sit for up to 4 hours in direct sunlight, until it reaches the desired strength.
- Add a sweetener if you like.
- Refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
- Serve over ice and garnish with lemon and herbs for a refreshing drink. This old-fashioned recipe truly yields the best tea!
Storage Tips
Store the tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It doesn’t keep as long as tea that’s brewed with boiling water, so prepare smaller batches at a time.
Sun Tea Jar
It’s best to use a glass jar or other glass container with a lid to prepare sun tea. A plastic container can leach flavor and chemicals into the tea as it sits in the heat of the sun. The lid is important to avoid contamination. Here are a few jars that will work well for your next batch of sun brewed tea:
- Half gallon mason jar or half gallon mason jar with a pitcher spout
- Half gallon glass pitcher (narrow for the fridge door!)
- For a larger crowd, try this gallon-size glass drink dispenser
Tips for the Best Sun Tea Recipe
- Use filtered or distilled water to avoid any potential bacteria in tap water.
- Check the tea regularly as it’s sitting in the sun. On a hot day, it may be ready in as little as 1 hour.
- Do not leave the tea out in the sun for more than 4 hours.
- Wait to add the sweetener (or other garnishes) at the end. You can use a simple syrup, honey, agave, or granulated sugar.
- Refrigerate the tea as soon as it’s done steeping.
- Garnish individual glasses to suit your taste. Try fresh mint leaves, fresh basil, fresh lemon slices, berries, or a splash of lemonade.
More Summer Drinks to Try
Homemade Lemonade
4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Sweet Tea Recipe
4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Old-Fashioned Blackberry Lemonade
4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Sun Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ gallon (8 cups) water (use filtered or distilled water for safety)
- 2 family-size tea bags (I use Luzianne brand)
- Optional: sugar, honey, agave, or simple syrup to sweeten to taste
- Optional, for serving: ice; lemon wedges; mint leaves
Instructions
- Place water in a glass pitcher or half-gallon mason jar. Add the tea bags and cover with a lid. Set the pitcher in the hot sun.
- Let the tea steep for 1-4 hours, until it reaches the desired strength.
- Add sweetener to taste, and then shake and stir to dissolve. For just a hint of sweetness, start with ¼ cup of sugar. For a sweeter tea, use ½ cup of sweetener (or more).
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Serve over ice and garnish with fresh lemon wedges or mint leaves.
Notes
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- Use filtered or distilled water to avoid any potential bacteria in tap water.
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- Check the tea regularly as it’s sitting in the sun. On a hot day, it may be ready in as little as 1 hour.
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- Do not leave the tea out in the sun for more than 4 hours.
-
- Wait to add the sweetener (or other garnishes) at the end. You can use a simple syrup, honey, agave, or granulated sugar.
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- Refrigerate the tea as soon as it’s done steeping.
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- Garnish individual glasses to suit your taste. Try fresh mint leaves, fresh basil, fresh lemon slices, berries, or a splash of lemonade.
Boy, that looks awfully good! I just came in from running errands. I’ll have to find a glass jar. What a great thing to have a big glass of that while you’re on the porch supervising the boys’ sports. I remember there was a sun tea craze in the late 70s and 80s. I think that’s when they started manufacturing the big tea bags.
That’s interesting. We’ll have to look into the history. We hope you enjoy a big glass!