How to Make Sun Tea: Easy Recipes, Storage Tips, and Flavor Ideas

Sun tea is a simple way to brew tea using nothing but sunlight, a glass jar, tea bags or loose tea, and time. It sounds easy because it is. But there are a few key things you should know to make sure your sun tea tastes good and stays safe to drink. In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to make sun tea, the best recipes to try, how to store it properly, and what ingredients you can add to give it more flavor.

What Is Sun Tea?

Sun tea is tea that brews slowly in sunlight rather than boiling water. You place tea bags or loose tea in a large clear jar filled with cold water and leave it outside in direct sunlight for a few hours. The heat from the sun gently steeps the tea, pulling out its flavor.

This method dates back to the 1960s and became popular because it uses no electricity or stove. People often like it for the smooth, less bitter flavor. Since you’re not using boiling water, the result is often milder and more refreshing.

However, there’s one thing to be aware of. Because sun tea doesn’t reach high temperatures, it can sometimes allow bacteria to grow, especially if left out too long or stored incorrectly. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make it—you just need to do it the right way, which we’ll cover below.

A Short Look at the History of Sun Tea

Sun tea became popular in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. Before that, people mainly brewed hot tea or served it iced after boiling. But as the summers got hotter and the idea of energy conservation grew, people started setting large glass jars filled with tea bags and water outside in the sun.

It caught on because it was easy, didn’t require boiling water, and made enough for the whole family. You’d see jars of tea sitting on porches or patios, slowly steeping in the heat of the day. It was part of summer life in many homes.

Today, it’s still used for the same reasons—no stove needed, and you get a smooth, cold drink that feels like summer in a glass.

How to Make Sun Tea (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how you can safely and easily make your own sun tea at home:

What You Need:

• 1 large clean glass jar with a lid (1- to 2-liter size is ideal)
• 4 to 6 tea bags (or about 4 teaspoons of loose leaf tea in a strainer)
• Cold filtered water
• Sunlight

Steps:

1. Wash your glass jar thoroughly with hot water and soap.
2. Fill the jar with cold filtered water.
3. Add the tea bags or loose tea in a strainer. Tie the tea bag strings together if needed.
4. Cover the jar with a lid. If your jar doesn’t have one, use plastic wrap or a small plate.
5. Place the jar outside in direct sunlight for 2 to 4 hours. Don’t leave it longer.
6. Remove the tea bags and place the jar in the refrigerator.
7. Use within 24 to 48 hours.

Tip: Make it in the morning so it’s ready by mid-afternoon.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Sun Tea

Even though making sun tea is simple, a few small mistakes can affect the flavor—or worse, make it unsafe. Here are the most common ones:

• Using an unclean jar: Always wash your container with hot water and soap. Bacteria can hide in small cracks or under the lid.
• Leaving it in the sun too long: Four hours max. After that, it can develop a strange taste or bacterial growth.
• Using tap water: If your tap water isn’t filtered or has a chlorine taste, it can affect your tea. Use filtered water for better flavor.
• Forgetting to refrigerate: Don’t let your sun tea sit out once it’s steeped. Chill it right away.
• Not labeling your jar: It’s easy to forget how long it’s been steeping. Use a sticky note or mark the time on the lid.

Avoiding these can help you make better-tasting tea and keep it safe to drink.

Best Sun Tea Recipes

You can use almost any type of tea for sun tea, but some give better flavor than others. Here are two tried-and-tested recipes:

1. Classic Black Tea Sun Tea

• 6 black tea bags
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Optional: 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• Steep for 3 hours in sunlight
• Chill and serve over ice

Flavor profile: Bold, crisp, slightly tangy from the lemon

2. Herbal Citrus Mint Sun Tea

• 3 bags of peppermint tea
• 2 bags of chamomile tea
• 2 slices of orange
• 3 fresh mint leaves
• Steep for 2.5 to 3 hours in sunlight
• Serve with ice and a mint sprig

Flavor profile: Light, cooling, naturally sweet

Best Tea Types for Sun Tea

Here are good options you can experiment with:

• Black tea: Strong and classic
• Green tea: Softer flavor, don’t steep longer than 2 hours
• Herbal tea: Caffeine-free, gentle taste
• White tea: Subtle and smooth
• Rooibos: Earthy and naturally sweet

Always use fresh tea. Old tea bags can give a stale flavor and may not steep well.

Other Ingredients You Can Add

To boost flavor without adding sugar, you can mix in any of these:

• Fresh fruit (lemon, lime, orange, berries)
• Fresh herbs (mint, basil, rosemary)
• Spices (ginger slices, cinnamon sticks)
• Cucumber slices for a spa-like vibe

Avoid dairy, milk, or nut milk when steeping. Add them after chilling if needed.

How to Store Sun Tea Safely

This part is important. Because the water never gets hot enough to kill bacteria, always do the following:

• Refrigerate the tea as soon as it finishes brewing
• Store in a clean, airtight container
• Drink within 24 to 48 hours
• If it looks cloudy or smells off, throw it away

Why it matters: According to the CDC, tea steeped in low temperatures can sometimes allow bacteria like Alcaligenes viscolactis to grow. It’s rare, but not worth the risk.

Should You Sweeten Sun Tea?

That’s up to you. Sweeteners can go in before or after steeping.

Popular choices:

• Honey
• Cane sugar
• Maple syrup
• Stevia or monk fruit

Don’t add sweetener during sun steeping if you’re using loose herbs or fresh fruit. Add it after straining.

What to Do When Sun Tea Doesn’t Turn Out Right

If your sun tea didn’t turn out how you hoped, here are some quick fixes and what might’ve gone wrong:

• It’s too weak: You might need more tea bags or a longer steep time (but never more than 4 hours). Try using 6–8 bags next time.
• It’s too strong or bitter: You may have used too many tea bags or steeped it too long. Use fewer tea bags or steep for only 2 hours.
• It looks cloudy: This can happen if the water was too hard (high in minerals) or it sat out too long. If it smells okay and was refrigerated promptly, it may still be safe, but trust your senses. If unsure, throw it out.
• It tastes flat: You may be using old tea bags or low-quality tea. Always check the expiration date and store tea in a cool, dry place.
• It has a strange smell: Don’t drink it. It likely has bacterial growth, especially if it wasn’t refrigerated on time.

Is Sun Tea Safe?

Yes, if you follow safe practices. Use clean equipment, limit steeping to 2 to 4 hours, and refrigerate it right away.

If you’re worried about bacteria, make “cold brew tea” in the fridge instead. Use the same tea-to-water ratio and let it steep overnight. It takes longer but is considered safer.

Benefits of Sun Tea

• No need for boiling water or energy
• Easy to prepare in large batches
• Smooth, less bitter taste
• Caffeine-free options for hydration
• Naturally flavored with fruits and herbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make sun tea in a plastic container?
No. Always use glass. Plastic can release chemicals when exposed to heat and sunlight.

Can I reuse the tea bags?
It’s not recommended. The second brew is much weaker and may harbor bacteria.

What if it’s cloudy outside?
You can still make sun tea, but it might take longer. Cold brew in the fridge is a better option on cloudy days.

Is it okay to leave sun tea out overnight?
No. Sun tea should never be left outside for more than 4 hours. Leaving it out overnight is unsafe.

Can I use loose leaf tea?
Yes. Just use a reusable tea strainer or cheesecloth to hold the leaves.

If you’re someone who enjoys iced drinks, especially during warmer months, sun tea is an easy and affordable way to make something refreshing without turning on your stove. Try a small batch first to see what you like, then adjust the flavor or steep time from there.

Try making your own sun tea this week and share your favorite recipe with friends or family.

If you enjoy herbal teas, you might also like Lemon Balm Tea: Best Remedy for Stress, Sleep, and More. It’s calming, caffeine-free, and easy to make at home.

For more details on food safety and sun tea preparation, you can check the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

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