Sun tea is believed to have originated in the United States, likely in the Southern states or Midwest, where hot summers made brewing tea in the sun an easy, energy-saving method. The exact origin isn’t pinpointed, but it became especially popular in mid-20th century America, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s, when people started using glass jars filled with water and tea bags left outside to steep in the sunlight.
The idea behind sun tea is simple: instead of boiling water, the sun’s heat slowly brews the tea over several hours, producing a smooth and mellow flavor. It became a kind of nostalgic, homey tradition—especially for iced tea lovers in warm climates.
I’ve always been a tea lover and start every morning with a cup. I had an old glass jar at home and thought it’d be perfect for making a big batch. Since I’m a fan of anything fruity, I went with a strawberry mint blend. It turned out delicious—I tossed in a few lemon slices and some blueberries for an extra burst of flavor. So refreshing! Check out the sun tea recipe inside.
🌞 How to Make Sun Tea
You’ll need:
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A large glass jar (1 to 2 quarts)
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4–6 tea bags (black tea is classic, but you can use green, herbal, or flavored)
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Cold filtered water
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Optional: fresh fruit, herbs (like mint), lemon slices, honey, etc.
Steps:
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Fill the jar:
Pour cold water into your clean glass jar, leaving a little room at the top. -
Add the tea bags:
Tie the strings together and drape them over the side, or just drop them in. Use more bags if you like stronger tea. -
Let it steep in the sun:
Seal the jar with a lid (or cover it with plastic wrap), then place it in a sunny spot outdoors for 2 to 4 hours. The sunlight gently brews the tea. -
Add extras (optional):
Once brewed, remove the tea bags and add in any extras you like—sliced lemons, berries, fresh mint, or a splash of honey. -
Chill and serve:
Refrigerate the tea or pour it over ice. Enjoy your fresh, homemade sun tea!
