Have you ever made sun tea? The weather has turned warm in Wisconsin and the temperature is close to 90 degrees. To me, that means it is time to start making sun tea.
If you are looking for a refreshing beverage to enjoy this summer, why not try making your own homemade sun tea. With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily create a tasty iced drink that is both flavorful and healthy.
Easy Iced Tea From the Warmth of the Sun
With the beautiful weather of summer days comes an easy way to make it. Simply wait for the warmth from the sunshine do all the work.
The warm rays of summer infuse their magic into every sip. As the temperature rises, we find ourselves seeking solace in the simplest pleasures, and what could be more delightful than a cool, refreshing glass of tea brewed by nature itself? Sun Tea, a beloved classic of summertime, embodies the art of slow brewing and captures the essence of sunlit days in every drop.
This classic recipe is a fabulous way to quench your thirst on hot days. Not only do you get the bonus of taking in some Vitamin D, but it tastes much better than traditional iced tea purchased from the store.
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While I could brew the tea with hot water, it just seems fun to make tea using just the sun for heat. This is a great project to do with children in the hot summer days.
Recently, I ran across a recipe for ginger lemon cinnamon tea. While I provide you with a few flavoring options lower down in this post, you may enjoy a more nutritious blend.
What is Sun Tea?
Sun tea is a method of brewing tea that uses the heat of the sun to slowly steep the tea leaves in cold water. The result is a refreshing and flavorful beverage.
It is a popular summertime drink known for its simplicity and the natural infusion of flavors it achieves without the need for boiling water.
Just place a glass container of water in a sunny spot for a few hours. The heat from the sun allows the tea to steep and infuse with the water.
Best Sun Tea Jar
The best sun tea jar to use is a clear glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. This allows for maximum sunlight to penetrate and for the tea to brew evenly. Avoid using a plastic container or a plastic jar as they can leach chemicals into the tea.
I have a few gallon and half gallon jars with a wide mouth lid on top. Actually, I purchase large jars of dill pickles. Once they were gone, I wash out the large glass jar and use those.
Half gallon canning jars work well for this application too.
Is Sun Tea Dangerous?
While I have never had an issue, when doing any type of food or drink preparation, it is always good to follow food safety guidelines.
While sun tea is a popular and refreshing method of brewing tea, there are some potential safety concerns associated with it. The primary concern is the risk of bacterial growth during the steeping process, as sun tea is made with cold water instead of boiling water.
The combination of warm temperatures, sunlight, and cold water can create an environment conducive to the growth of harmful bacteria, such as coliform bacteria and other pathogens. These bacteria can multiply rapidly in the tea, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses if the tea is not handled and stored properly.
To reduce the risk of bacterial growth and ensure safe consumption of sun tea, follow these guidelines:
Use Clean Containers: Ensure that the container you use to brew sun tea is clean and free from any residue or contaminants.
Limit the steeping time of sun tea to 2 to 4 hours. Longer steeping times can increase the risk of bacterial growth.
Once the tea has steeped in the sun, promptly transfer it to the refrigerator to cool. Avoid leaving it out at room temperature for extended periods.
It’s best to consume sun tea within a few hours of brewing to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination. If you don’t plan to drink it right away, refrigerate the tea and consume it within 24 hours
Type of Tea That Works the Fastest
I like to use family size Lipton Cold Brew tea bags. That is what I use most of the time when I make sun tea. You are assured that you can be enjoying a fresh brewed cup of tea with the power of the sun in just a few hours.
Using the Sun to Brew
Making sun tea is really using the heat of the summer sun to brew the tea bags. The best way to enjoy iced tea on a hot day.
How Long Does Sun Tea Take?
Sun tea typically takes around 2-3 hours to brew in direct sunlight, depending on the strength and temperature preference of the person making it.
The two photos below show the stages of the sun tea. In the first photo, the tea is just starting to steep. It was out in the sun about 10 minutes so you can see how quickly things start to change.
The darker colored jar is the same jar that sat in the sun for slightly over 2 hours.
How to Make Sun Tea?
It is so simple to make. Just add water and tea bags to a glass jar. Set it in the sun 2-3 hours to let the sun do its thing as it heats the water and the tea releases all its goodness.
Remove the tea bags and discard.
Note: This recipe uses a gallon of water. You can make less if you with using a large glass container. Just adjust the amount of tea added. The time in the sun remains the same; a couple of hours.
The tea can be flavored with sugar or other flavors as desired. It is also delicious as is poured over ice. Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Don’t Place the glass jar in a sunny window. I find that it just does not work as well as if you place outside in the sun’s rays. So, for best results, find a sunny spot outside.
How to Make Sun Tea
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 4 bags Tea Cold Brew Family size Tea Bags
- 1 Gallon Water
text ingredients
Instructions
- In a large glass gallon container, fill with water. Add the tea bags. Place in the sun for 2 hours.4 bags Tea, 1 Gallon Water
- Remove the tea bags and discard. The tea can be flavored with sugar or other flavors as desired. It is also delicious as is poured over ice. Store in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Tea Bag combination ideas
I find that it is easier to do the combinations of teas when using the regular sized tea bags rather than the family size.- Two ginger peach & two green tea bags
- Two ginger peach & two vanilla tea bags
- Two green tea & two vanilla tea bags
- Two black tea & two lemon ginger tea bags
- Two green & two mint tea bags
- Two of your favorite berry tea bags, one vanilla & one green tea bag
How Long Does Sun Tea Last in the Fridge?
Sun tea typically lasts about 2-3 days in the fridge. It’s important to keep it refrigerated and discard it if it starts to smell or taste off. I find that if I add the sugar and flavorings to each individual glass, the black tea itself can last in the refrigerator up to a week.Nutrition
A few of my favorite things
The Power of Positivity
Sun Tea Serving ideas
If you don’t like the bitter taste of black tea, jazz it up a bit with these ideas.
Sweet Tea, Fresh Fruit, and Fresh Herbs. A delicious combination and great way to add new flavors.
- Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to a glass of ice tea and stir until dissolved
- Teaspoon of honey
- Two thinly lemon slices
- Add a few peach slices
- Make a simple syrup
How to Make Simple Syrup – of 1/2 sugar and 1/2 water. Bring to a simmer to dissolve the sugar. This is a great homemade sweet syrup that can be added to any of the tea varieties that you choose to make. The result is a cup of simple syrup.
Tea Bag combination ideas
I find that it is easier to do the combinations of teas when using the regular sized tea bags rather than the family size.
This recipe will work with any kind of tea, loose tea, herbal teas, white tea, loose-leaf tea, or regular tea bags, and in any flavor.
- Two ginger peach & two green tea bags
- Two ginger peach & two vanilla tea bags
- Two green tea & two vanilla tea bags
- Two black tea & two lemon ginger tea bags
- Two green & two mint tea bags
- Two of your favorite berry tea bags, one vanilla & one green tea bag
Try a few mix and match combos and find the one that is just right for you.
How Long Does Sun Tea Last in the Fridge?
Sun tea typically lasts about 2-3 days in the fridge. It’s important to keep it refrigerated and discard it if it starts to smell or taste off.
Pro Tip. I find that if I add the sugar and flavorings to each individual glass, the black tea itself can last in the refrigerator up to a week.
I hope that you liked this recipe. If you are looking for more ideas on what to make, here are a few other recipes that you may enjoy.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.
Dana | The Art Kit
Tuesday 11th of July 2017
This looks so good! Perfect for a summertime beverage!
patternprincess1
Friday 14th of July 2017
It is and it's very easy to make.