How to Make: Old-Fashioned Sun Tea

Old-fashioned sun tea is a treat that I look forward to every year. I love the way that the slow brewing process makes the tea taste crisper. As I drink it, I can just picture the generations of people before me that sat in rocking chairs out on their porches, sipping on sweet iced sun tea.

Brewing sun tea is easier than boiling water!

You’ll need: a clear, glass container (carafes or mason jars work perfect for this), your favorite black tea, and room temperature or cool water

• Add 1 teabag or 1 tbsp of tea, per 1/2 c. of water that will fit into your carafe or jar. You’ll be making a very strong tea so you can add ice cubes later, without watering down the tea.
• Cover the container with a lid or small plate. You just want to keep bugs and other nature out of the tea while it’s brewing.
• Place in direct sunlight for 2-4 hours.

The sunlight will heat the glass and the water enough for the tea to brew. I’ll set a container outside in the morning and it’s a yummy treat for the rest of my day. This would also be a great treat to bring to a picnic or camping. Set it out while everyone is playing and it’ll be ready just in time for lunch!

Once the tea is brewed, add any sweeteners, fresh fruit chunks (peaches are great for this) or flavorings like mint, that you like and chill immediately with regular or flavored ice cubes.

May you have many lazy summer days filled with sun tea. Cheers!

P.S. I have read that because sun tea is brewed over a long period of time at a low temperature, it creates an environment for bacteria growth. I wasn’t able to find actual documentation of this, nor have I ever experienced any problems with this. That being said, a little caution can’t hurt, so to reduce the possibility of bacterial growth, always use a clean container to brew in. You can also use distilled water instead of tap water and don’t let the tea brew longer than four hours. Sun tea should be consumed within 12-24 hours after brewing.

This post is part of the katienormalgirl.com revisited series. I recently switched platforms and I’m bringing some of the old blog bits with me. Whether it’s new to you, or if you’ve seen it before, I hope you enjoy!