ClassicEasy

Sun Tea

The original slow-brewed iced tea — black tea bags steeped in cold water in a glass jar set in direct sunlight for several hours. Gentle, smooth, and slightly sweet on its own. Sun tea is less about the flavour and more about the ritual: the patience, the anticipation, the reward.

4 hrs
Easy
Serves 8
Video preview
Sun Tea

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place the tea bags in a clean 2-litre glass jar. Fill with cold filtered water. Seal the lid.

  2. 2

    Set the jar in a sunny spot outdoors — a patio, windowsill, or deck. Leave for 3–5 hours depending on how strong you like it and how sunny the day is.

  3. 3

    Remove the tea bags. If sweetening, stir in the sugar while the tea is still slightly warm from the sun.

  4. 4

    Refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice with a lemon slice.

Pro tip

Sun tea brews at a lower temperature than hot-brewed tea, which means it extracts less tannin and produces a smoother, less bitter result. A partly cloudy day still works — it just takes longer. For food safety, do not leave sun tea out for more than 4 hours and refrigerate immediately after brewing. Drink within 24 hours.

#sun tea#classic#slow brew#traditional#summer#simple#nostalgic
Share

Disclosure: This page contains ads and may include affiliate links. If you purchase through a link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more