Refreshing Sun Tea Recipe
A simple and nostalgic homemade sun tea recipe that brews naturally in the sun for a smooth, mellow, and refreshing summer beverage.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 4 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 7 minutes to 4 hours 7 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 gallon (3.8 liters) filtered or spring water
- 6–8 black tea bags or green tea bags
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar, honey, or agave syrup (optional)
- 1–2 fresh lemons, thinly sliced
- A handful of fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Pour 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of filtered water into a large glass jar or pitcher.
- Add 6-8 tea bags to the water.
- Cover the jar loosely with a lid or breathable cloth and place it in direct sunlight for 2 to 4 hours.
- After 2 hours, gently swirl the tea and check the color; if too light, leave longer but do not exceed 4 hours.
- Remove the tea bags, squeezing gently to extract flavor.
- Stir in 1/2 cup (100 grams) of your preferred sweetener while the tea is still warm.
- Add lemon slices and mint leaves if using, and let infuse for about 15 minutes.
- Refrigerate the tea until cold and serve over ice with extra lemon or mint garnish.
Notes
Use filtered or spring water for best taste. Do not brew longer than 4 hours to avoid bitterness and bacterial growth. Cover jar loosely to allow airflow and prevent bugs. Dissolve sweetener while tea is warm to avoid gritty texture. Avoid placing jar on hot surfaces to prevent cracking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (8 fl oz)
- Calories: 3012
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 8
Keywords: sun tea, refreshing tea, summer drink, homemade tea, iced tea, black tea, green tea, herbal tea, easy tea recipe