Cool Sun Tea

Green tea with lemon sun tea with apple mint and a strawberry. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

Sun Tea

Do you remember making sun tea in the 1970s? It was a very popular drink back then. Suppliers offered large gallon glass jugs with spigots built in so the tea could be enjoyed straight out of the glass container. Some of the concoctions were even offered through Trader Vic’s, a series of restaurants and tiki bars that dotted the US countryside.

I never bought one of those large glass jugs, we just made the sun tea in large glass containers. After all, the important part was being able to place the container in the sun where someone would not knock it over.

This year I am making green tea in the sun in a good sized jar that fits nicely in a window.

A plain jar with a lid works well for making sun tea. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Now how many tea bags to add depends on how strong you like your tea. I prefer mine more light than dark so I started with two bags per jar.

Since I also have a nice supply of apple mint growing, I collected some I am keeping in a flower vase until I’m ready to add it to the tea.

This batch of green tea will get apple mint added. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Sun tea has a different taste than a tea made out of hot water. I also tend to think it’s a smoother-tasting tea.

If you prefer your tea sweeter, add sugar or honey when you are getting ready to store it in the refrigerator.

Here’s to summer!

For more gardening, beekeeping, cooking and easy home decor tips, subscribe to Garden Notes.

Charlotte

Homemade Sun Tea

My little half a gallon jug steeping green tea bags for sun tea. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Homemade Sun Tea

If you’ve never made sun tea, this is the summer you should try it. It is not only easy to make but a nice refreshing change to ice tea made out of tea bags steeped in hot water.

When it comes to making tea, it doesn’t matter if the water is hot or cold. Hot water steeps the tea; cold water makes it an infusion. Either way, wet tea brings out the flavor.

What makes sun tea different, in my book, is that it is slow steeped, bringing out the tea flavor.

A friend of mine who had not tried sun tea was telling me it takes too long so she prefers to steep her tea in hot water. Hot water does release tea flavor quickly but I can get a similar reaction letting the sun heat up my tea water and I’m not heating up my kitchen in the middle of a record hot summer.

Homemade Sun Tea Recipe

You Will Need:

Glass container with a lid (gallon or half-gallon)

Tea bags or loose tea with a tea infuser to taste

Fresh honey

Mint springs or lemon slices (optional)

My tea making glass jar and three tea bags just placed in the sun to steep. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

To Make:

I like my tea on the lighter side so I use 3-4 green tea bags per half-gallon. You may need to try a few combinations to find your tea strength preference.

You can mix tea bags, too, it’s a great opportunity to clean out your random stash of tea bags and try different combinations. A green tea with a fruity tea would be a nice first choice to try.

I fill my glass container with cold water, then add the tea bags with the tags hanging over the side. Cover.

Place the glass jar in a south-facing window away from traffic and curious little hands and paws.

Now the magic.

Depending on how strong you like your tea, it can be ready in an hour or steep for a day, it’s up to your personal preference on strength and color.

Once it’s the tea strength you want, add honey to sweeten if you like a sweeter tea. I add a teaspoon per 16 oz. glass or drink as is so adjust the sweetness to your taste.

Fresh spearmint spring straight out of my garden. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Pour over ice cubes.

Serve with a slice of lemon or a sprig of fresh spearmint straight out of your garden.

Sun tea, the sure taste of summer! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If you enjoy making drinks, pick up our reprinted 1946 vintage Trader Vic’s Food and Drink book. Bet you will find some interesting drink recipes there, too!

Charlotte

Sun Tea

Green tea with lemon sun tea with apple mint and a strawberry. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Sun Tea

Do you remember making sun tea in the 1970s? It was a very popular drink back then. Suppliers offered large gallon glass jugs with spigots built in so the tea could be enjoyed straight out of the glass container. Some of the concoctions were even offered through Trader Vic’s, a series of restaurants and tiki bars that dotted the US countryside.

I never bought one of those large glass jugs, we just made the sun tea in large glass containers. After all, the important part was being able to place the container in the sun where someone would not knock it over.

This year I am making green tea in the sun in a good sized jar that fits nicely in a window.

A plain jar with a lid works well for making sun tea. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Now how many tea bags to add depends on how strong you like your tea. I prefer mine more light than dark so I started with two bags per jar.

Since I also have a nice supply of apple mint growing, I collected some I am keeping in a flower vase until I’m ready to add it to the tea.

This batch of green tea will get apple mint added. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Sun tea has a different taste than a tea made out of hot water. I also tend to think it’s a smoother-tasting tea.

If you prefer your tea sweeter, add sugar or honey when you are getting ready to store it in the refrigerator.

Here’s to summer!

Charlotte