Making sun tea is easy: steep tea bags in filtered water in the sun for 1 to 4 hours to make a smooth, mellow summer drink.
I’ve tested Sun Tea with black, herbal, and fruit teas to find the best steeping times and the easiest way to keep the flavor clean and refreshing. Below, I’ll show you how long to brew it, which container to use, and how to make sure it tastes its best.
Table of contents
What’s So Special About Sun Tea?
What makes sun tea different from hot-brewed iced tea is the slow steeping in cold water. Instead of a bold, brisk flavor, you get a smoother, lighter tea that is easy to sip and especially refreshing in summer.
Tea Options
The best tea for sun tea depends on the flavor you want.
- Black tea gives you the most classic, mellow pitcher.
- Green tea is a lighter option with a clean, delicate flavor, but it is best tasted early so it does not turn bitter.
- Fruit tea adds a brighter, tangier flavor and often a more colorful brew.
- Herbal tea is a good caffeine-free option, but it is usually more delicate and may need a little closer attention while steeping.
How to Make Sun Tea
Sun tea is all about letting the flavor build slowly, so a quick taste test along the way helps you get the strength exactly where you want it.
STEP ONE: Pour cold, filtered water into a large glass jar or pitcher and add the tea bags. Cover the top loosely before setting it out so the tea can steep cleanly in the sun.
STEP TWO: Place the pitcher in direct sunlight and check it after about 1 hour. If the flavor is light and smooth, go ahead and remove the tea bags. If you want a deeper brew, leave it a little longer and keep tasting every hour so it does not get too strong or bitter.
STEP THREE: When the flavor is where you want it, take out the tea bags and refrigerate the tea until chilled. Pour it over ice and finish each glass with a lemon, fresh mint, or some sweetener, if that is your style.
Tips for Success
For best flavor: Use filtered water and start checking your sun tea early, then remove the tea bags as soon as it tastes the way you like. Since steeping time varies by tea type, it helps to taste along the way instead of relying on the clock alone.
For safety: After steeping, remove the tea bags and move the pitcher to the refrigerator right away. Plan to enjoy it within 48 hours.
For customization: Add lemon, mint, fruit, or sweetener after brewing, not before. Fresh fruit should go in only after the tea is finished and chilled. Mixing different tea bags is an easy way to build more flavor.
How Long Does it Take to Make Sun Tea?
The exact steeping time for sun tea can vary, but most pitchers are ready within 1 to 4 hours. Tea type and weather both make a difference, so it is best to start tasting early and check it every hour.
- Black tea: 1 to 2 hours for a classic smooth brew
- Green tea: 1 to 2 hours for a lighter, more delicate pitcher
- Fruit tea: 1 to 4 hours, depending on the blend
- Herbal tea: 2 to 3 hours, since it is often more delicate
- Cool or cloudy weather: expect a slower steep
Can I Use a Plastic Pitcher to Make Sun Tea?
Nope. You should always use a glass container for sun tea. Plastic pitchers can leach chemicals when they sit in the sun, which can affect both the flavor and the safety of your tea. That’s why this recipe uses a glass jar or pitcher from start to finish. Glass is the better choice for a clean, fresh-tasting pitcher of sun tea.
Ingredients
- 8 cups filtered water
- 4-5 bags black tea (pekoe, earl grey, English breakfast)
- sweetener for serving
- lemon slices for serving
Fruit Tea
- 4-5 bags fruit tea (hibiscus, berry blends, peach)
Herbal Tea
- 4-5 bags herbal tea (peppermint, chamomile, lemon balm)
Instructions
- Fill a 2-quart or large glass jar or pitcher with 8 cups filtered water. Add 4-5 bags black tea bags. If the bags have paper tags, you can tie them together and hand them over the edge. Cover the jar loosely with a lid or plastic wrap (to keep out debris and bugs).
- Place in a sunny spot outside or on a windowsill in direct light for 1 to 4 hours, depending on the type of tea you choose.
- Taste test the tea after 1 hour. For a lighter tea, check and remove the bags now. For a stronger brew, continue steeping and taste hourly (but no longer than 5 hours to avoid bitterness).
- Serve immediately over ice or chill in the fridge before serving with lemon slices and sweetener, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ
Check it after 1 hour and taste every hour after that. When the color looks brewed, and the flavor tastes smooth, it is ready. Let it steep longer if you want a stronger pitcher.
Yes. Remove the tea bags once the tea tastes right, so it does not keep steeping and turn bitter.
No. Add fresh fruit only after brewing to avoid fermentation during sun exposure. Once the tea is finished and chilled, you can add fruit for extra flavor.
What to Serve with Sun Tea
Sun tea pairs perfectly with easy summer favorites for a fresh, relaxed menu.
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