Sun Tea

It’s the perfect time of year to brew some tea in your backyard and let the sun do all the work. I remember my mom doing this in our backyard at home. I can still see the big glass bottle brewing tea in the sun on top of our family picnic table. It really couldn’t get any simpler. Choose your favorite blend of tea and grab a glass bottle. Here I am using a 2 quart pitcher.

Here is what I did:

I filled my 2 quart pitcher with filtered water. Twisted the strings of 6 tea bags together and put them into the pitcher while holding on to the tabs. I then placed the cover on the jar and found a sunny spot on the patio to brew. Within a few hours the water turned to tea and I put it in the fridge to chill. I enjoyed some iced tea for dinner that evening. I have been enjoying a tea that my friend introduced me to; Teavana’s Jade Citrus Mint, I don’t feel it needs additional sweetness. If you like your tea sweetened, why not make a batch of simple syrup?

For cold drinks, sugar doesn’t dissolve well, so I like to whip up a batch of simple syrup. To make it, just take a one quart sauce pan and add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Turn the flame on low until the sugar dissolves. Pour the liquid into a mason jar and store in the fridge. Use as desired. It’s excellent in iced coffee too. If you want to double the recipe or make less, always remember that it’s equal parts sugar and water.