How to Make Sun Tea

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Who wants to be indoors making tea on a hot summer day? Let the sun do the work, keeping in mind just a few tips to keep your brew safe.

Step 1: Clean a pitcher
Wash a clear pitcher with hot, sudsy water; rinse, and let it air dry. It’s important to sun-brew tea in a sanitized container.

Step 2: Fill with water
Fill the pitcher with four cups of cold water, preferably filtered.

Tip
Because of bacteria concerns, don’t brew more sun tea than you can drink in a few hours, and don’t leave sun tea un-refrigerated for more than eight hours.

Step 3: Add tea
Add five tea bags or five teaspoons of tea leaves, and cover securely.

Tip
Avoid herbal teas, which do not offer the same protection against the water-borne bacteria Alcaligenes viscolactis that the caffeine in black tea does.

Step 4: Sit it in the sun
Place the pitcher in direct sunlight for at least two hours.

Step 5: Remove tea
Remove the tea bags or strain out the tea leaves.

Step 6: Add sugar and lemon
Pour your tea into ice-filled glasses and add sugar and lemon to taste.

Step 7: Garnish with lemon slices
Garnish with lemon slices.

Did You Know?
Tea bags were invented in 1904.