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Let the Sunshine make this Easy Sun Tea Recipe. All you need is tea bags, water and the sun to make this delicious tea recipe.

Close up image of sun tea in a glass pitcher.
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Easy Sun Tea Recipe:

During the hot summer days, a glass of ice tea is so refreshing and the best summer recipe. If you have ever had Sun Tea then you know how great it taste.

The tea bags are heated up by the sun and the water and the outcome is best tea you have ever tasted. It takes a little longer than just boiling water, but it is worth it.

You can even add in some sugar or simple syrup to make sweet tea. Add a slice of lemon and some honey and you will never make tea any other way.

Close up image of two glasses with tea

What is the Difference between Sun Tea and Regular Tea?

Teas brewed by sunlight usually have a milder taste than teas that are brewed by hot boiling water. Sun Tea never gets over 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even delicate teas such as white tea and green tea are brewed at 150 degrees.

Close of image of a tea bags glass pitcher slices of lemon and honey.

Ingredients: 

  • Water 
  • Black Tea Bags
  • Honey (optional) 
  • Lemon Slices (optional) 

How to Make Sun Tea: 

Close of image of a tea bags glass pitcher slices of lemon and honey.

  • Add 8 tea brew bags to the dispenser. 
  • Cover the dispenser and sit it out in the sun to allow the tea to steep into the water. 
Close up image of tea in a glass pitcher in the sun on a stand.
  • Generally, it will take 3-4 hours for the tea to fully brew but this will depend on how hot it is and how big your dispenser is. 
  • Then stir in the honey and lemon slices.  Add honey based on how sweet you prefer your tea.  
  • Refrigerate for up to 5 days. 

Tips for Sun Tea: 

  • I made this recipe with black tea, but you can easily make it with your favorite types of herbal teas or use a combination to make your favorite flavor.  You can even add in fresh mint.
  • This recipe is for 1 gallon of tea.  You can easily add the number of cold brew tea bags to fill your dispenser.  For example, if your dispenser holds 1.5 gallons then you would add 12 bags of tea, etc. 
  • The honey sweetener is optional.  I find it’s best to use a liquid sweetener as sugar will not dissolve since the water is not boiling.  

How Warm does it have to be to make Sun Tea?

It doesn’t have to be a certain temperature outside to make Sun Tea. As long as you have a place to put the pitcher of water and tea bags in the sunlight then you can make Sun Tea.

Close up image of sun tea in two glass with slices of lemon.

Can you make Sun Tea in a plastic container?

We recommend using a large glass container for brewing tea under the sun. If you use a plastic container and the sun rays are strong, it could activate the plastic chemicals in the plastic container.

Therefore your tea could have a plastic taste.

How long do you leave Sun Tea in the Sun?

Place family size tea bags in a clean quart or gallon size container. Fill with water and place in sun. Put the container in area where the sun will be for about 3 to 5 hours.

Close up image of sun tea in a glass pitcher.

The Best Recipe for Sun Tea:

  • Use 4 to 8 Tea Bags
  • Place tea bag in a clean 2 quart or gallon size pitcher
  • Fill with filtered water and place cap on pitcher.
  • Place in sun for at least 3 to 5 hours
  • Tea will be a milder taste. Remove tea bags and serve. Needs to be served within 1 to 2 days.
Close up image of two glass with tea and a slice of lemon on the side.

How to make Sun Tea in the Winter:

Yes, you can make Sun Tea in the Winter. As long as you have tea bags, water and sunshine then you can make Sun Tea.

Close up image of tea on a glass pitcher

Print Recipe here for Easy Sun Tea:

Sun Tea

5 from 13 votes
Let the Sunshine make this Easy Sun Tea Recipe. All you need is tea bags, water and the sun to make this delicious tea recipe.
Prep Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Beverage
Calories 32

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon Water
  • 8 Bags Black Tea
  • 1/4-1/2 cup Honey optional
  • Lemon Slices optional
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Instructions

  • Fill a large dispenser with the water.
  • Add 8 tea bags to the dispenser.
  • Cover the dispenser and sit it out in the sun to allow the tea to steep into the water.
  • Generally, it will take 3-4 hours for the tea to fully brew but this will depend on how hot it is and how big your dispenser is.
  • Then stir in the honey and lemon slices.  Add honey based on how sweet you prefer your tea.
  • Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes

*I made this recipe with black tea, but you can easily make it with your favorite types of herbal teas or use a combination to make your favorite flavor.  
*This recipe is for 1 gallon of tea.  You can easily add the number of tea bags to fill your dispenser.  For example, if your dispenser holds 1.5 gallons then you would add 12 bags of tea, etc. 
*The honey sweetener is optional.  I find it’s best to use a liquid sweetener as sugar will not dissolve since the water is not boiling.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 32kcal, Carbohydrates 9g, Protein 1g, Sodium 24mg, Potassium 6mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 9g, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 15mg, Iron 1mg

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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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