Imagine serving your guests a drink so refreshing, so delightful, that they’ll be talking about it for years to come. That’s the power of Sun Tea – and I’m about to spill the beans on this game-changing recipe.
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The Legend of Sun Tea
What you serve your guests in life echoes for eternity. Next time you’re entertaining, pour your friends a glass of this citrusy Sun Tea and take your rightful place in History. Seriously, this tea is that good.
Drinking Sun Tea is an excellent way to cool off after a long day spent polishing your shuttlecock collection, scraping the poop out of your chicken coop, or power napping in-between Zoom calls.
But that begs the question…
What on Earth is Sun Tea?
Sun Tea is iced tea infused with citrus rind, juice, and macerated mint leaves. We add the zest + juice of 1 lemon and 1 orange, along with a few sprigs of mint. The result? A zesty, refreshing drink that’ll knock your socks off!
Sugar is optional, of course, and we add just a skosh. The mild sweetness pairs perfectly with the mild citrus and mint flavors.
I found this recipe tucked away in one of my maternal grandma’s TV Guides. So it’s not “mine” per se, but she’s moved on, so we should too.
Drinking Sunshine Tea is an excellent way to cool off after a long day spent polishing your shuttlecock collection, scraping the poop out of your chicken coop, or power napping in-between Zoom calls.
Ingredients: Your Path to Tea Perfection
Here are the few easy-to-find ingredients you’ll need for this citrusy sun tea recipe:
- Black Tea Bags: I used Lipton black tea bags for this recipe (because I’m a basic bro). IMHO, Lipton makes the best iced teas. You can sub herbal teas if you’d like.
- Orange Zest & Juice: I like the concentrated flavor that comes from Clementine Mandarin Oranges (Cuties®). So that’s what I use.
- Lemon Zest & Juice: Lemon adds a bright yet subtle acidity to this tea. Pro Tip: When squeezing the lemon over the jar, catch any seeds that sneak in. I recommend using a citrus press to dodge the seed issue completely.
- Mint Leaves: 2-3 long mint sprigs is all you need for this recipe. If you can’t or refuse to grow mint at home you can find pre-packed mint in the produce section of most grocery stores. Fresh is best though, so I recommend checking out a farmer’s market if it’s spring or summertime. Or, do what I do and steal some from your neighbor’s garden.
- Sugar: A touch of sugar in this iced tea is what rounds out this recipe. I like to add just a wee amount to complement the citrus of the lemon and orange.
Pro Tip: When squeezing the lemon over the jar, catch any seeds that sneak in. I recommend using a citrus press to dodge the seed issue completely.
🌞 How To Make Sunshine Tea 🌞
ngredients:
- 4 black tea bags
- Grated rind of 1/2 lemon
- Grated rind of 1/2 orange
- Juice of 1/2 an orange
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 2 long stems of mint
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 cups hot water
- 1/2 pitcher cold water
Garnish Ingredients:
- Thin slices of lemon and orange
- Mint sprigs
Steps:
Step 1: Zest your lemon and orange. Toss the zest into your large glass jar or glass pitcher. Juice your lemon and orange directly over the pitcher, making sure to catch any seeds. Add 2 long stems of mint and a 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar.
Step 2: Add 2 cups of boiling hot water to the pitcher and stir until the sugar’s dissolved. Let everything steep for 5-6 minutes. The hot water will draw the essence & oils from the mint and citrus.
Step 3: Fill the pitcher 3/4’s of the way with cold tap water and add 4 black tea bags. Set the tea to steep in direct sunlight on your windowsill, back porch, etc. You can cover with plastic wrap to keep out dust and critters. Or dusty critters. No crittery-dust though! Note: Add more teabags if you like a stronger iced tea. I swap between 4 and 8 teabags when I make this. It all depends on how well I slept the night before.
This is the zester I recommend:
Step 4: After a few hours the tea will have changed color from light yellow to dark, amber gold. Remove the tea bags and add toss in some ice. Place in refrigerator for an hour to cool fully. If you can’t wait that long, just pour your room temperature sun tea over ice.
Garnish with thin lemon slices, orange slices, and a few mint leaves.
Easy Sunshine Tea Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 black tea bags
- grated rind of 1/2 a lemon
- grated rind of 1/2 an orange
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
- juice of 1/2 an orange
- 2 long stems of mint
- 2 cups boiling hot water
- 10 cups cold water
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Zest your lemon and orange. Toss the zest into your glass pitcher. Juice your lemon and orange directly over the pitcher, making sure to catch any seeds.Add 2 long stems of mint and a 1/4 cup of granulated white sugar.
- Add 2 cups of boiling hot water to the pitcher and stir until the sugar’s dissolved. Let everything steep for 5-6 minutes.The hot water will draw the essence & oils from the mint and citrus.
- Fill the pitcher 3/4’s of the way with cold tap water and add 4 black tea bags. Set the tea to steep in direct sunlight on your windowsill, back patio, etc.
- After a few hours the tea will have changed color from light yellow to dark, amber gold. Remove the tea bags and add toss in some ice. Place in refrigerator for an hour to cool fully.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Flavor Variations: Customize Your Liquid Gold
While the classic Sun Tea is a crowd-pleaser, why not experiment with these exciting variations?
- Berry Blast: Add a handful of mixed berries to the brewing process for a fruity twist.
- Ginger Zing: Grate some fresh ginger into your tea for a spicy kick.
- Lavender Dreams: Replace the mint with a few sprigs of fresh lavender for a floral note.
- Tropical Paradise: Use pineapple juice instead of orange for a vacation in a glass.
Can I Use Green Tea Instead of Black Tea?
Though this recipe is traditionally made from black tea, you can substitute any kind of tea your heart desires!
Keep in mind that if you use herbal teas, the final drink might not be that classic gold iced-tea color. I’ve heard you can use loose-leaf tea, though I haven’t tried this myself.
Black tea substitutions:
- Green Tea
- Passion Fruit Black Tea
- Plantation Peach Tea
- Blueberry Lavender Tea
- Dandelion Tea
- Chai Tea
- Earl Grey
- Lady Grey
- White Tea
Health Benefits: Why Your Body Will Thank You
Sun tea isn’t just delicious; it’s good for you too! Here’s why:
- Packed with antioxidants
- Rich in Vitamin C from the citrus
- May boost metabolism (thanks, caffeine!)
- Hydrating and refreshing
- Lower in chemicals and preservatives than store-bought teas
A recent Oxford study proved that people who consume tea regularly live longer.
The process of making Sun Tea allows the polyphenols to seep out of the tea leaves, which helps prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals. Polyphenols also reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
FAQ
Do I leave the mint and Zest in the Tea?
Yes, the lemon and orange zest stay in the tea. You’ve had lemon zest on fish and on pie. It’s time to have it in Tea, wouldn’t you say? I know what you’re thinking. Gross…floaties. Trust me, you don’t taste, feel, or notice them. Embrace the zest. Because it even imparts more flavor over the coming days.
How long does Sun Tea stay fresh?
About 48 hours when stored in the fridge.
Can I use green tea instead of black tea?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different tea types.
Is Sun Tea safe to drink?
Yes, when prepared and stored properly. Just refrigerate it once it’s done steeping.
Ready to Become a Sun Tea Legend?
Grab your pitcher, head outside, and let the sun work its magic. Don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram with #SunTeaSippin – I can’t wait to see your liquid gold!
What’s your favorite iced tea flavor? Share your Sun Tea success stories in the comments below!
