It’s starting to get hot down here in South Texas. Like, we don’t go outside during peak hours, kind of hot. You know what does go outside during peak hours? Tea. Sun tea to be exact. This is a recipe from my dad. He was born and raised in Texas and showed me how to make sun tea. Its really simple and takes absolutely no effort. Like zero.
And I’m not even sure if you call this a recipe. I don’t think setting a pitcher of water outside counts as a recipe. [Or does it?] Well, a pitcher with tea bags and water. Let me just give you the run down of how to make this tea and Ill debate if its a recipe later.
To make sun tea you find a nice big clear pitcher. Fill it with water and put 4-6 tea bags on top, depending on the size of the pitcher and how strong you want your tea. [More tea bags = stronger tea.] Place the tea in a nice sunny spot and leave it there for a few hours. I chose our old rusty barbecue pit in the backyard because it a. gets tons of sunlight during the day and b. is up high and away from the dogs.
Now if you’re like me then you like your tea unsweetened. Gasp! A Texan who doesn’t like sweet tea?! Yes. Its true. I prefer plain unsweet tea. With a little lemon. And lots of ice. And preferably served in a mason jar on a hot summer day. The kind of hot summer day that keeps you inside during peak hours. [This sounds familiar.]
Normally I would put a recipe card here.. but since its not an actual recipe Ill just add a few things that you’ll need to make your own sun tea. Cool? Cool. [Ps.. these are affiliate links. Still cool? Awesome!]
Or sign up for our emails and never miss a post!
- White Chocolate Mousse - February 16, 2024
- Slow Cooker Ground Beef Tacos - October 30, 2023
- Pumpkin Cream Iced Chai Latte - October 23, 2023
jessica says
I love sun tea! I havent had it in a long time. I cant wait to make this with my daughter. This is a great summer fun idea!
Kelley says
Thanks Jessica! My kiddos love it! Hope yall have fun with it 🙂
Joybee says
I love sun tea. I grew up in NC so we always sweetened ours. We also always had a sun tea pitcher. It was a 1 gallon clear glass jug with a screw on top and a spigot at the bottom. We kept it full all summer long. If I remember right we would put 1 cup of sugar for a full gallon…wow was it sweet. Now sweet tea is a rare treat when I go home to visit.
Kelley says
That sounds awesome! I’m going to have to look for a gallon jug like that!
ang says
YUM! Looks delicious! Thanks for linking up on Cook it! Craft it! Share it! I’m featuring you on my Facebook page later today 🙂
Ang
Kelley says
Awesome! Thanks so much Ang!
Lea says
I love sun tea. Found this from Whimsy Wednesday.
Lea @ adropofthis.com
Kelley says
Thanks! Me too!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Wait, I’m confused. You like super sweet coffee but unsweetened tea?! You are a complicated woman, Kelley 😉
I was just telling my oldest about sun tea the other day, and he was completely confused. He thought that was what people did in the olden days before they knew how to boil water. I’ll have to show him how it’s done this summer when we have a break from the fog in San Francisco!
Kelley says
HAHA!! It is super confusing huh?!! But I don’t like sweet tea because you can taste the sugar and feel the texture of it. Well, down here you can anyways. And tea isn’t as bitter as coffee. lol. I hope yall enjoy making sun tea! Its fun!
Raia says
It’s pretty hot down here in SC, too, yet I still haven’t tried this. :p I need to!
Kelley says
Yes! Its so easy! (And tasty of course!)