How To Make Sun Tea

A nice, cold glass of iced tea on a hot day is just so refreshing! Back in Texas, we had many 100+ degree days in a row. It got out of hand! I grew up in Maryland so I’m used to hot summers but not like Texas heat! My mom used to make iced tea year round and in the summer, she would brew it on our back deck, in direct sun. There’s just something about the smooth flavor of summer inside a nice, cold glass of sun tea.

(I also eat my tea. But, that’s another post! Check out more drink recipes from Sugar Bananas!)

It’s times like this I like to make sun tea (for two reasons).

#1. It doesn’t involve heating the kitchen! (I’ve even been known to cook dinner in a slow cooker on the back porch because its JUST TOO HOT!)
#2: It has a delicious flavor.

The tea isn’t going to boil so it won’t be killing bacteria. So, make sure to start off with a very clean pitcher AND only keep the tea around for a day or two. Sun tea is so delicious that I’m sure it will run out before then.

To Make Sun Tea

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I use this 2.5 quart glass pitcher. It’s important to use glass since the sun needs to penetrate and create a mini greenhouse effect to warm the water and brew the tea. Plus, if I’m storing liquids in a container, I NEVER use plastic!

Pick your favorite tea. Black, Green, Oolong, Herbal, whatever you love. I like Lipton brand black tea because it’s what my momma used when I was young to make her sun tea.

I use 8-10 teabags depending on how much caffeine I ~~need~~ want that day.

Fill the jar with filtered water (for the best flavor) and drop in the bags.

Move the tea to a sunny spot. I put my pitcher on my back porch in direct sun for over 2 hours. It can stay and brew longer because the sun does all of the work. Just make sure the pitcher is sealed (bugs like tea, too).

After it’s done sunbathing, add some sugar and some food grade essential oils already!

A drop of lime or orange are my favorites in my sun tea. Chill and serve.

***(I use oils EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. Learn more about why I NEED them here.)***

There’s only one brand I’ll use.

About Essential Oils

Essential Oils have knocked my socks off! I’m embarrassed to say I used to use whatever oils I could find in my grocery store. After learning about therapeutic grade oils, my life has been forever changed! I’ve since detoxed my body and my home and I feel AMAZING! Come see what I mean.

Already Have Oils?

Recipes Using Essential Oils

Fun Accessories for Essential Oils

Comments

Megan @ Cut the Craft! says

July 11, 2011 at 8:45 pm

My mom used to do this all the time when I was growing up…and stuffed it with a bunch of mint leaves from the garden too. Thanks for the flashback! 🙂

Megan
http://www.CutTheCraft.com

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- sugarbananas says
  
  May 17, 2018 at 10:09 am
  
  Mmm! I love minty tea too! Thanks for stopping by
  
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Elizabeth says

July 12, 2011 at 4:09 am

Hi Sarah, I have been exploring your lovely blog today and it has left me feeling hungry to try some of those amazing treats, and very inspired. Thankyou, Elizabeth from http://thedotdotblog.blogspot.com/

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- sugarbananas says
  
  May 17, 2018 at 10:10 am
  
  Hey there, Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by. Yep, I do the same thing to myself when I look at older posts I’ve written. It usually ends up with me baking something lol
  
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herbal tea says

July 13, 2011 at 3:50 am

Capture summer in a jar by brewing tea in the warmth of the sun. Use the natural and gentle heat of the sun to brew a cup of tea. It's very nice to make something right in the garden.

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