Create the Perfect Summer Drink

Some people love drinking warm tea during the summer months, but if you’re one of those people who prefers a refreshing icy drink, sun tea is the answer. Sun tea is a way of making tea by slow cold water brewing. This infuses your tea gently, with less caffeine, and less of a bitter taste. This delicious cold tea is easy to make at home.

Equipment:

• Mason jars with lids
  
• Scissors
  
• Timer
  
• Tongs
  
• A tub filled with ice (or use the fridge)
  

Ingredients:

• Tea bags
  
• Distilled or spring water (cold or room temperature)
  
• Sliced or cubed fruit (not overly ripe)
  
• Mint, basil, or other fruit-friendly herbs

How to make the tea:

1. Sterilize the mason jars, washing the jars and lids with very hot water and soap. This prevents bacterial growth.
   
2. Place a tea bag in each mason jar.
   
3. Pour in cold distilled water into each jar, leaving 1 ½” space under the rim (for room to add fruit later).
   
4. Screw the lid on, closing it tightly
   
5. Place the jars of tea under direct sunlight to allow them to brew. If it is above 90˚F (32˚C), this should take an hour.
   
6. Set a timer to keep track of time.
   
7. If it is not hot where you live place the tea in the fridge for 6-8 hours.
   
8. Remove the tea from the sun or fridge, and open the jars.
   
9. Using a pair of tongs, place fruit pieces, or herbs into each jar.
   
10. Replace the lids, screwing them closed tightly.

Your drinks are ready for serving. You can put the mason jars into a tub of ice, or store them in the fridge, for later use.

Ideas for fruit combos:

Peaches & blueberries (with black tea)

Oranges & mint (with oolong tea)

Apple & spearmint (with green tea)

Mango & ginger (with oolong tea)

Strawberry & basil (with green tea)

Cucumber & mint (with green tea)

Pineapple & strawberries (with rooibos tea)

Grapefruit & strawberries (with green tea)

Pitted cherries & lemon (with black tea)

Peach & rosemary (with black tea)