How to Make Sun Tea | Easy Recipe

Sun tea uses the power of the sun to make a nourishing drink, full of minerals and refreshing flavor. Serving it cold is one of the best ways to cool down and stay hydrated on a hot summer day!

Homemade sun tea has been a daily occurrence for me this summer. I learned about structuring water, so I've been lining up jars of water outside every morning, along with a jar of tea. I bring in the tea in mid-afternoon, add a few ice cubes and enjoy it in the shade in the heat of the day as the summer sun beats down. It's been SO refreshing!

I also plan to enjoy it as a hot tea in the winter, I'll just warm it after I've brewed it in the sun.

I only drink herbal tea, so it's been fun to have a different way to make it. You can use green tea, white tea, black tea, or whatever your favorite tea is!

My husband and I have both noticed the difference since drinking "sunned" water. We've felt more hydrated and haven't needed to drink as much water. Because it's BETTER water!

Needless to say, we've enjoyed this sun tea recipe for many reasons this summer!

If you want to make a large batch to keep in the fridge, use a gallon of water and quadruple the recipe.

What is Sun Tea?

Sun tea is room temperature water steeped in the light and heat of the sun, rather than with boiling water or cold brew tea in the fridge. Because of the sun exposure, the water becomes more structured (easier for the body to use - more on that later) and the tea has a slightly different taste and feel than regular tea.

Why Make Sun Tea?

Steeping tea in the sun yields more nutritional benefits than just steeping leaves in boiling water.

Structured water - Treated water that comes out of our taps is highly processed and unstructured. We use a Berkey water filter to remove the pathogens and chemicals that are in there, but that's not all that needs to be done! Exposing the water molecules to UV light brings them back to their original formation (structured, hexagonal shape), the form the body can easily recognize and use. So this tea will hydrate you more effectively than traditional tea!

Minerals - I like adding one or more dried or fresh herbs that are high in trace minerals, such as nettle. Our water these days is seriously lacking in minerals that our bodies need. Did you know that if you drink too much plain water, it may actually flush minerals out of your body? That's why it's essential to consume mineral-rich foods and drinks. Adding an herb like nettle to your sun tea and drinking it regularly will help replenish your body's mineral stores. Some other mineral-rich teas are dandelion, alfalfa, red clover and raspberry leaf.

FAQ

Is Sun Tea Safe?

Scientifically speaking, no it's not. Direct sunlight creates an ideal water temperature for the growth of bacteria and doesn't get hot enough to kill the bacteria as boiling hot water would.

BUT, I've been making and consuming sun tea all summer and had absolutely no issues! In fact, I feel extra hydrated. There are lots of people that do the same. I'm personally not concerned about a little bacteria, but if you are, perhaps sun tea won't sit very well with you.

Adding your sweetener and juice to the tea after it's steeped will reduce the chance of bacterial growth, as any bacteria will multiply if they have sugar to eat.

What Do You Make Sun Tea In?

Always make sun tea in a glass jar or container. The heat from the sun can cause chemicals in plastic containers to leach into the tea and alter the flavor. If you decide to use plastic, at least ensure it's BPA free.

You can buy a specific sun tea container, but that is totally unnecessary! Plain ol' mason jars work great.

Where do You Put Sun Tea to Steep?

You guessed it! Sun tea needs to steep in the warmth of the sun. This could be outside on a deck, lawn or table, or inside on the windowsill.

When I first learned about sun tea, I heard it's best to place the jar on the earth, for example, the grass or the dirt. I have no source for this, as I can't remember where I came across this, but it had to do with the electric charges from the earth helping to restructure the water. It's similar to the concept of grounding yourself by walking barefoot on the earth.

What Kind of Tea is Best for Sun Tea?

You can use any kind of tea and steep it in the sun! Loose-leaf tea or regular tea bags both work.

Does It Have to Be Hot to Make Sun Tea?

No, it can be any temperature! As long as the water (even if it's cold water) is exposed to sunlight, you're making sun tea and the water is being restructured!

Can You make Sun Tea in the Winter?

Yes, you can make sun tea at any time of year! Even in the dead of winter, you can put a jar of tea in a sunny spot on your windowsill or counter and the sun will still work it's magic, it just may take a little longer than in the heat of the summer.

When to Make Sun Tea

Any time during the day! Even if it's cloudy, some UV light is always getting through those clouds and will reach your jar to restructure the water and brew your tea.

How to Make Sun tea Sweet?

Add your favorite sweetener, to taste. I prefer to use maple syrup because it's a natural sweetener, I like the flavor and it dissolves easily in the tea, but you could use honey, date syrup, brown sugar, white sugar, whatever you want.

How Long Does it Take to Make Sun Tea?

On a hot day, your sun tea will likely be ready in about 1 hour and on cooler or cloudier days, you can leave it in the sun for a longer period of time, up to 12 hours. I probably average 3-4 hours. Honestly, I've left mine in the hot sun for 6+ hours before with no issues, so I wouldn't stress about it. Always leave it for at least an hour and then go get it when you're ready to enjoy!

Should You Refrigerate Sun Tea?

If you aren't planning on drinking it right away, refrigerating will prevent bacteria growth and extend the life of the tea. It makes the best iced tea- so refreshing on hot summer days!

Can Sun Tea Go Bad?

Yes, as with any food product, it can spoil, especially if you've added juice and sweeteners. Always discard it if the taste is off and don't keep it in the fridge for longer than 2 days.

Sun Tea Variations

• Use whatever tea or tea combination you'd like. I like nettle for the minerals it contains, hibiscus for the beautiful pink color and mint for its fresh flavor!
• Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice is a great way to enhance the flavor.
• Make sweet sun tea by adding any sweetener. I prefer maple syrup because it's a natural sweetener and contains a small number of minerals.
• Adding a pinch of pure sea salt will also increase the mineral content of your drink.

Tools You May Need

Quart mason jar or another glass container

Sieve or tea ball

Measuring spoons

How to Make Sun Tea

Ingredients:

• 4 cups filtered water
• 3 tablespoon loose tea leaves (I use a combination of nettle, hibiscus and sometimes mint)
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
• 2 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

Combine water and loose-leaf tea in your glass container.

Seal it tightly with a lid, give it a shake and set the jar in the sun, preferably on grass or dirt, but this is optional. Allow it to steep in the sunshine for 1-12 hours.

Strain and stir in maple syrup and lemon juice, if desired. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if you're feeling fancy!

For a cold sun tea, place in the refrigerator until cold or pour over ice cubes in a glass.

Makes 4 cups of tea.

How to Store Sun Tea

Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1 week if nothing has been added, or up to 2 days if sweetener and juice have been added.

Did you try this recipe? If so, I would really appreciate a 5-star rating and your comments below! Thanks!

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• CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE WITHOUT ICE CREAM
• HIBISCUS TEA
• CHOCOLATE ALMOND MILK
• CHOCOLATE MINT TEA LATTE
• STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE WITHOUT ICE CREAM