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Square side shot of glasses of sun tea with lemon wedges and fresh mint.
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Sun Tea

Sun tea is iced tea brewed with nothing but cold water, tea bags, and an afternoon of sunshine. It comes out smooth and mild, and there is no stove involved at all!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword how to make sun tea, sun tea, sun tea recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 0.003kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Equipment

  • Half gallon glass jar or pitcher with a lid

Ingredients

  • 1/2 gallon (8 cups) cold filtered or distilled water
  • 2 family-size tea bags (or 8 regular-size tea bags)
  • Optional: 1/4 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar, honey, agave, or simple syrup
  • For serving: ice, lemon wedges, fresh mint

Instructions

  • Fill the jar. Wash a half gallon glass jar or pitcher in hot, soapy water. Fill it with the cold filtered or distilled water.
  • Add the tea bags and seal. Drop in the tea bags and cover the jar with a lid.
    Process shot showing how to make sun tea
  • Set it in the sun. Place the jar in a spot that gets direct sunlight and let it steep for 1 to 4 hours, until the tea reaches a deep amber color. Do not leave it out longer than 4 hours.
    Process shot showing how to make sun tea
  • Sweeten while warm. Remove the tea bags. Stir in the sweetener, if using, until it dissolves completely. Start with 1/4 cup for a hint of sweetness.
    Pouring sugar into a pitcher of sun tea
  • Refrigerate right away. Move the jar to the refrigerator as soon as it comes inside. Serve over ice with lemon wedges and fresh mint.
    Square side shot of glasses of sun tea with lemon wedges and fresh mint.

Notes

  • Four hours is the limit. Sun tea reaches roughly 130 degrees, which brews the tea but does not kill bacteria. Bring the jar in at four hours regardless of color, and refrigerate immediately.
  • Glass only. Plastic can leach flavor and chemicals into the tea during hours of direct heat.
  • Filtered or distilled water. A sun brew never gets hot enough to handle what tap water may carry.
  • Refrigerator method. No sun, or would rather not chance it? Use the same ratio and steep in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 hours. Overnight is easiest, and the four-hour rule does not apply.
  • Scaling up. For a full gallon, use 4 family-size tea bags (or 16 regular) and double the water.
  • Sweeten after brewing. Sugar in the jar during the steep feeds bacteria. Stir it in once the tea is inside.
  • Storage. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Discard the tea if it looks thick, syrupy, or stringy.
  • Make an Arnold Palmer. Pour unsweetened sun tea half and half with lemonade over ice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8 of the pitcher (not including added sweeteners) | Calories: 0.003kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.001g | Sodium: 0.01mg | Potassium: 0.1mg