How to Make Herbal Sun Tea on a Hot Summer’s Afternoon

There is something nostalgic about brewing a big jar of sun tea on a summer afternoon and sipping it over ice on the porch.

Traditionally, sun tea is made with black tea and sugar that is left to brew in the hot sun. However, with the rise of herbal teas, or tisanes, there is nothing to say that you can go ahead and brew yourself a jar of your favorite herbal variety.

What Exactly is Sun Tea and How Do I Make It?

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Sun tea is just an iced tea drink that has been brewed by the heat of the sun instead of cold brewing or cooling down hot tea. To make sun tea, you need a large glass jar with a secure lid and a hot, sunny day. If you can find a glass jar with a spigot attached, that is all the more practical when it comes to serving yourself a glass.

Four black tea bags are just about right for a gallon of water. Just pop your tea bags in the jar with water and add sugar or sweetener to taste. Then, put a lid on top and set your jar out in your garden in direct sun for 3-4 hours. When your sun tea is ready, you can then bring it inside and put it in the fridge to cool or pour yourself a glass right away over ice.

Do I Have To Use Black Tea?

You do not need to use black tea to make sun-brewed tea. You can use any number of herbal teas and even fruits instead of black tea bags. You may use any herbal tea bags you have already at the same ratio of about 4-6 tea bags per gallon of water, or you may wish to make your own blends with loose dried herbs or even fresh herbs from your garden.

With dried herbs, you can substitute about two tablespoons for one teabag. Fresh herbs are a lot less pungent, so a good few sprigs of your herb of choice will need to be added to the water to gain the same strength of flavor as dried herbs.

Which Herbs Are Best To Use?

• Chamomile and Lemon Balm– Chamomile makes a lovely iced tea. The notes of apple are perfect for a summer’s day. Couple this with some zesty lemon balm or even some lemongrass if you have it available, and you will have a beautifully refreshing yet calming tea to sip.
• Peppermint– Peppermint tea is a perfect sun tea to make on a hot afternoon. The refreshing menthol will help to make you feel much cooler in the heat. Add some slices of lemon, too, for a zesty beverage.
• Hibiscus and Rosehips– If you want a sun that is brimming with color, try making a hibiscus and rosehip tea. The pink tones will make you feel as though you are having a fun cocktail on the porch while sipping a tea that will refresh you and give you a megavitamin boost at the same time.

Some Tips for Making Sun

• Only use glass jars– when picking a jar for making your sun tea, make sure you choose a glass jar. Some plastics may leech chemicals into the water while it is in the sun.
• Make a fresh batch each day– Just as you wouldn’t drink yesterday’s coffee today, make sure that you only make enough tea for that day. It is recommended that you don’t store sun tea for more than 24 hours due to the risk of bacteria.
• Refrigerate after brewing– Once your tea is ready, store what you are not drinking in the fridge. This will help to reduce the risk of bacteria.

Is Sun Tea Safe?

All the fun of sun tea making aside, there is some evidence to suggest that because when making sun tea, the water heats up but does not boil, bacteria might be allowed to grow in the water. The risk of becoming sick from this bacteria is very low, but it is worth thinking about and making the choice for yourself and your family.

If you still want to enjoy iced teas in the summer but are not too sure about making sun tea, you can always do a cold brew in the fridge. Make up your water and tea mixture as described above, but place your jar in the fridge instead of the sun. Your tea will take a lot longer to brew as you are working with time here, not heat!

Whichever method you choose, you are free to enjoy a caffeine-free ice-cold beverage on a sunny afternoon.

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• 10 Anti-Viral Herbal Supplements to Boost Your Immunity
• Ultimate Guide to Herbs and Teas
• Tea Time: The Health Reasons Why You Should Pick Up the Habit This Fall

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