Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

If you’re a fan of iced tea, you’ve probably heard of sun tea. This refreshing drink is made by steeping tea in water that’s been warmed by the sun’s rays. Sun tea is a popular drink during the summer months, and it’s easy to make at home. We’ll explore the history of sun tea, where it’s most popular in the United States, and answer some of the most searched questions about this beloved drink.

Sun Tea

Discover the refreshing world of sun tea! Learn about its history, how to make it safely, and where it’s most popular in the United States. Find out why sun tea has been a beloved summertime drink for decades, and get tips on making it with herbal tea. Quench your thirst for knowledge about this classic beverage!

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Additionally, while every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of the information provided in this article, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages that may result from the use or misuse of the information provided. It is the responsibility of the reader to use their own judgment and discretion when following the recommendations outlined in this article and to always practice safe food handling techniques.

The History of Sun Tea

Sun tea first became popular in the 1970s during the height of the natural food movement. People were looking for ways to make their food and drink more wholesome and natural. Sun tea was seen as a healthier alternative to traditional iced tea, which is usually made with boiling water. Sun tea also has the added benefit of being a low-energy way to make tea, as it requires no electricity or gas.

Kitchen Tools & Ingredients Needed for Making Sun Tea

1. Large glass jar or pitcher with lid: The jar or pitcher should be big enough to hold the amount of water and tea bags you’re using.
2. Tea bags: Choose your favorite brand and flavor of tea bags.
3. Water: Make sure the water is fresh and filtered.
4. Sun: You’ll need a sunny spot outdoors to place your jar or pitcher.
5. Citrus fruits (optional): If you want to add some citrus flavor to your sun tea, you’ll need a knife to slice the fruit.
6. Sweetener (optional): If you want to add sweetness to your sun tea, you’ll need your preferred sweetener, such as sugar or honey.
7. Strainer (optional): If you want to remove any loose tea leaves or fruit pieces from your sun tea, you’ll need a strainer.

How to Make Sun Tea

Making sun tea is easy. All you need is a glass jar with a lid, tea bags, water, and sunlight. Here’s how to make it:

1. Fill a glass jar with water and add your tea bags. Use about one tea bag per cup of water.
2. Cover the jar with a lid and place it in a sunny spot for about 2-4 hours, depending on how strong you want your tea.
3. Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and refrigerate the tea until it’s chilled.
4. Serve over ice, with any optional citrus slices and/or wedges and optional sweetener of choice, and enjoy!

What Kind of Citrus is Best for Sun Tea?

When it comes to adding citrus to sun tea, the type of citrus you choose is entirely up to your personal preference and the flavors you want to incorporate. Some popular choices include lemons, limes, and oranges, as they can add a bright and refreshing flavor to the tea, while also providing some additional health benefits.

Lemons, for example, are high in vitamin C and can help boost your immune system. Limes are also high in vitamin C and can aid in digestion. Oranges, on the other hand, are high in vitamin A and can help improve skin health. These citrus fruits can add a burst of flavor to your sun tea and provide a refreshing twist on a classic summer beverage.

When using citrus in sun tea, it’s important to wash them thoroughly and slice them thinly to release the most flavor. You can add the citrus to the tea during the steeping process or simply garnish your glass with a slice before serving. Try experimenting with different types of citrus to find your favorite combination and take your sun tea to the next level!

When do you add citrus slices to the sun tea?

For adding citrus fruits when making sun tea, it’s best to wait until after the tea has finished steeping. Once you’ve achieved the desired strength, you can remove the tea bags and add sliced citrus fruits to the jar. Leave the jar in the sun for an extra hour or two to infuse the tea with the citrus flavors. Remember to take out the citrus slices before serving your refreshing sun tea.

Is Sun Tea Safe to Drink?

There has been some concern over the safety of sun tea. The warm water and sunlight can create an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, which could cause illness if consumed. However, if you follow basic food safety guidelines, such as washing your hands before handling the jars and utensils and making sure the tea reaches a safe temperature before drinking, sun tea is safe to consume. It’s also recommended that you consume sun tea within a few hours of brewing and that you store it in the refrigerator when it’s not being consumed.

Where in the United States is Sun Tea Popular?

Sun tea is popular all over the United States, but it’s especially popular in the southern and western states, where the weather is hot and sunny. In these regions, it’s not uncommon to see jars of sun tea brewing on front porches or in backyards. Sun tea is also a popular drink at picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings.

Can You Make Sun Tea with Herbal Tea?

Yes, you can make sun tea with herbal tea. Herbal tea doesn’t contain any tea leaves, so it won’t have the same caffeine content as traditional tea. However, it can still be a flavorful and refreshing drink. Some popular herbal teas for sun tea include mint, lemon balm, and chamomile.

Sun tea is a refreshing and easy-to-make drink that’s perfect for the hot summer months. By following basic food safety guidelines and using clean equipment, you can enjoy sun tea without any concerns. Whether you’re in the southern United States or up north, sun tea is a popular drink that’s sure to quench your thirst. So, grab a jar and some tea bags, and let the sun do the rest!

Sun Tea

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Discover the refreshing world of sun tea! Learn about its history, how to make it safely, and where it's most popular in the United States. Find out why sun tea has been a beloved summertime drink for decades, and get tips on making it with herbal tea. Check out this informative article from Life's Little Sweets blog and quench your thirst for knowledge about this classic beverage.

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Ingredients

• 1 gallon of water
• 4 tea bags
• ice, for serving
• citrus fruit slices like lemon, orange, or lime, optional
• citrus wedges, for garnishing, optional
• wildflower honey, optional

Instructions

1. Fill a glass jar with water and add your tea bags. Use about one tea bag per cup of water.

1. Cover the jar with a lid and place it in a sunny spot for about 2-4 hours, depending on how strong you want your tea.
2. Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and refrigerate the tea until it's chilled.
3. Serve over ice with any desired citrus slices and wedges, optional sweetener, and enjoy!

Notes

• Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Additionally, while every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of the information provided in this article, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages that may result from the use or misuse of the information provided. It is the responsibility of the reader to use their own judgment and discretion when following the recommendations outlined in this article and to always practice safe food handling techniques.
• Water to Tea Bag Ratio: The best ratio of water to tea bags for making sun tea can vary depending on your personal preference and the strength of the tea bags you're using. Generally, a good guideline is to use 4-6 tea bags per 1 gallon of water. This will give you mild to medium-strength tea, but if you prefer a stronger tea, you can add more tea bags or let the tea steep for a longer period of time. Keep in mind that using too many tea bags or steeping the tea for too long can result in a bitter taste. So, it's always a good idea to start with a lower ratio and adjust it to your liking.
• How long to steep tea bags in water for sun tea: The steeping time for sun tea is flexible and can vary depending on your preference and the strength of the tea bags you're using. As a general rule of thumb, it's recommended to let the tea steep in the sun for 2-4 hours. This allows the tea to infuse with the water and develop a mild to medium strength. If you prefer a stronger tea, you can steep it for a longer time, but be careful not to steep it for too long, as this can result in a bitter taste. It's also important to keep in mind that steeping the tea for too long can increase the risk of bacterial growth, which can make the tea unsafe to drink. So, it's always a good idea to follow proper food safety guidelines and consume the tea within a few hours of steeping.
• When to add citrus: For adding citrus fruits when making sun tea, it's best to wait until after the tea has finished steeping. Once you've achieved the desired strength, you can remove the tea bags and add sliced citrus fruits to the jar. Leave the jar in the sun for an extra hour or two to infuse the tea with the citrus flavors. Remember to take out the citrus slices before serving your refreshing sun tea.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 66Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 0g

Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best. If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe!

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• First published: 4/1/2023

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

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