As long as I can remember my Mom and sisters have always made this simple sun tea recipe. We lived in an apartment when I was in high school and my Mom would set it on the sunny balcony to brew 😎 .
We have well water so I use room temperature bottled water (tap cold water is fine).
Add 6-8 tea bags of your choice (no need for the cold water tea bags in my opinion).
Remove the paper tag on the tea bag. I used black decaf in this picture. Then wash your lemon, slice it up and add it to the water.
Find a sunny location and let it sit for hours (at least 2)
I use my deck post and love to watch it steep from my kitchen window.
If you add enough lemon there is no sugar needed.
Chill and serve over ice.
Enjoy the antioxidants!
(should last if refrigerated for 4-5 days)
Here’s a cute beverage dispenser that would work nicely, but you would double the recipe.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW DISPENSER INFORMATION
You can also try “His & Her Mason Jar Sun Iced Tea” which is the exact same idea, only more personal, and more fun. Fill large Mason jars (or any jars) with lemon wedges, 3 tea bags each, tap/bottled water and allow to brew for a few hours until dark brown. When ready, remove tea bags and add a bunch of ice and drink straight from the jar. You can also add sugar if desired.
Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here.
Tags: sun tea recipe
Posted by
Well that sure is yummy and sure would go well here in the South. I will have to try that!
Iced tea is my all time favorite!! I need to try this!
i would use oranges in place of lemon.
Sounds interesting, Sandra! I will have to try that.
I’ve been making iced tea like this for many years; it always hits the spot. Lemons make it sooooo good. Enjoy the summer!!!
Hi Carol! Thanks for the reminder. The sun is out, so I better get my tea bags out. Happy Memorial Day to you! ~Julie
I make sun tea but not lemons, like that add.
Hi Julie,
My mom used to make sun tea all the time, matter of fact, I think she even had a big jar with a sun on it that said “Sun Tea.” I have never made mine with lemons though, sounds really good and refreshing. I love the fact we don’t have to add sugar, so natural and good for you.
I think we had that same big jar! 😉
Hello! Just to be sure, you use cold water from the start?
Yes! The sun brews it.
I am just curious as to why you don’t use the well water. It seems to me that it would fresher. Then again, I don’t know a lot about wells.
thank you for the recipe.
It has alot of elements in it and can have bacteria.
Yuck! Thanks for the response.
I grew up drinking sun tea! But never thought to put lemon in! I tried it yesterday. But my tea never really got dark. It stayed a very light brown. I left it out there for 5hrs! Brought it in,placed in fridge to chill overnight. Just poured myself a glass and was so disappointed. It tasted awful! It tasted like eating the pith of the lemon. Did I do something wrong? I so wanted this to work too! I’m diabetic, so was looking forward to tasty tea without sugar.
Sounds like you didn’t use enough tea. Also, you can squeeze the lemon in the end into your glass if you just want the lemon flavor. Hope that helps!
We should be using Family-sized tea bags???
I’m still curious re the comment on well water.
My son just bought a house with it..it’s our 1st experience as a family with well water.
I’m sure your drinking/cooking water is filtered, so why wouldn’t it work for the tea ?
I do use our well water, but I boil it to be safe.