What Is Sun Tea?
Updated: Oct. 09, 2020Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
For many people, learning how to make sun tea was an essential part of growing up—but is this nostalgic method safe?
Old-school recipes like sun tea let us journey into the past, to a time when modern conveniences weren’t readily available. This method of making iced tea doesn’t use a kettle. Instead, it uses the strength of the sun to brew the drink. However, there’s a catch if you’re looking to brew sun tea today. Like a handful of Grandma’s recipes, there is a food-safety risk to this nostalgic drink.
What Is Sun Tea?
Sun tea is brewed in a warm place, such as in the summer sun or on a kitchen counter. You don’t have to boil water like other iced tea methods require to make sun tea—simply add water and tea bags to a glass jar, let steep and the tea is ready to drink within hours. While the steps to make sun tea are fairly straightforward, some sun tea enthusiasts say the results are better tasting than when using cold brew tea bags.
Is Sun Tea Safe?
In some cases, no. The 130° Fahrenheit temperature that sun-brewed tea typically reaches is not hot enough to kill bacteria; in fact, it’s the ideal temperature for encouraging growth. Foods like
The safest—and easiest—way to make iced tea is to make cold brew tea. Combine the water and tea bags and let steep in the refrigerator overnight instead of in the sun; this eliminates the threat of contamination.
What Tea Is Best for Sun Tea?
If you do decide to make sun tea, it’s best to use black tea, never herbal tea, because its caffeine may help inhibit the spreading of bacteria in your drink.
You can use black tea that’s loose-leaf or in tea bags. Keep in mind that loose-leaf tea will require the extra step of straining after the tea is brewed; bags simply require you to take them out. Here are a handful of tea brands I recommend:
How Do You Make Sun Tea?
Fill a 1-gallon glass jar with hot water and add six individual tea bags. You can follow the nostalgic method of doing it outside on the porch in the summer or steep the tea indoors any time of year.
How long should you step sun tea? Let the sun tea sit on the counter for 3-4 hours. Then remove the tea bags and refrigerate the tea.
How Do You Sweeten Sun Tea?
You can sweeten sun tea any way you like. I recommend making simple syrup at home or using a natural store-bought sweetener, whether that’s traditional sugar, honey or stevia.
Pineapple Iced Tea
We have a large family, so we go through beverages quickly at our house. This thirst-quenching tea is simple to mix together and has a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas
Bella Basil Raspberry Tea
Beautiful basil and fresh raspberries lend bright color and refreshing flavor to this grown-up iced tea. You’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience for parties. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Cherry Limeade Sweet Tea
Sweet tea and cherry limeade are two of my favorite summer libations, so I decided to combine them—the results are wonderful. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
Hibiscus Iced Tea
This calorie and caffeine-free tea has a delightful rosy color.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy
I love an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day. I also love sweet tea, so one day I got the great idea to mix the two. Wow! It was absolutely delish. I experimented with different flavorings, and this combination was my favorite. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Smooth Sweet Tea
A pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community Member
Honey-Citrus Iced Tea
A frozen orange or lemon slice in the glass looks pretty and helps keep this refreshing punch nice and cold. Using honey instead of sugar adds a sweet touch. —Sheila Bradshaw, Columbus, Ohio
Iced Honeydew Mint Tea
I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea
I like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, Hawaii
Refreshing Raspberry Iced Tea
This recipe makes a gallon, so it's a great choice for a springtime party when you have a medium-size crowd. It freezes well, so feel free to make it ahead of time. —Arlana Hendricks, Manchester, Tennessee
Sweet Tea Concentrate
Sweet iced tea is a Southern classic and this is a fabulous recipe for those tea lovers or for a party. The concentrate will make 20 servings. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida
Lemonade Iced Tea
I have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this irresistible thirst-quencher takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina
Agua de Jamaica
This agua de jamaica recipe features an iced tea made from hibiscus—tart and deep red like cranberry juice. Add rum if you like. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Raspberry Iced Tea
One sip and you'll likely agree that this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted. —Chris Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Rhubarb Mint Tea
A bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Iced Raspberry Tea
Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia
Summertime Tea
You can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee
Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea
Every special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
Sweet Raspberry Tea
You only need a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Minty Tea Punch
Forget sugary (and boring) sodas for your next potluck and treat your family and friends to a refreshing homemade punch. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea
I grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Orange Blossom Mint Refresher
I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This tea has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness; the orange blossom water gives it a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Lemon Lime Almond Tea
I got this delicious tea recipe from a friend and make it about twice a week. It's such a refreshing drink. —Tammy Griffin, Frankston, Texas
Sweet Citrus Iced Tea
My family has been making iced tea this way ever since I was a child. When I recently prepared it for a church function, everyone liked it so much that they asked for the recipe. — Diane C Kirkpatrick, Terre Hill, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Tea
This colorful tea with its sweet spicy flavor is a great winter warmer-upper. The aroma is sure to bring guests to the table! —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, IowaPopular Videos
