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How To Make Sun Tea and 5 Iced Tea Recipes | Healthy Kitchen Hacks

How To Make Sun Tea and 5 Iced Tea Recipes | Healthy Kitchen Hacks

A classic summertime drink: iced tea brewed by the sun and flavored with fresh mint and orange slices.

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How To Make Sun Tea

Sticking with the beverage healthy hacks theme (last week it was Easy Summertime Sangria – 3 Ways), I thought I’d repost one of my favorite drinks to make in the summer.

Growing up, my mom often made sun tea but I was ho-hum about iced tea in general back then. But around my senior year in high school, I clearly remember having the most amazing iced tea at my best friend’s house.

Her mom would make basic Lipton iced tea and would add a few splashes of orange juice, orange slices and fresh mint from her garden. It was divine.

How To Make Sun Tea via @tspbasil #healthykitchenhacks Click To Tweet

Fast forward to about five years ago: I gave up diet soda for good and started drinking unsweetened iced tea instead when eating out. But for some reason, I didn’t make it at home.

That is until a few years ago when the first hint of warmer weather hit and on a whim, I decided to make some sun tea. With fresh mint and orange slices naturally.

How To Make Sun Tea | Teaspoonofspice.com

It’s now one of my go-to summer drinks. I even make it when I’m down the shore on vacation (aka East coast talk for going to the beach.)

The hardest part about this recipe? Remembering to bring the tea inside. (Seriously, I set a timer on my phone otherwise that pitcher would be out there all night.)

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How To Make Sun Tea


  • Yield: 16 cups 1x

Description

A classic summertime drink: iced tea brewed by the sun and flavored with fresh mint and orange slices.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1012 tea bags (depending on how strong you like your iced tea)
  • 3 medium oranges, sliced
  • Bunch of fresh mint leaves
  • 1 gallon water

Instructions

  1. Place the tea bags, orange slices and mint in bottom of a large pitcher. Slowly fill with water.
  2. Cover pitcher with plastic wrap or lid and place outside for at least 4 hours on a sunny or warm day.
  3. Bring inside and strain tea. Serve with ice.

How To Make Sun Tea plus 5 Ice Tea Recipes @tspbasil

Here are the next iced tea/tea cooler recipes I want to try to out:

Mango Pineapple Sun Tea – Jen @Nourished Simply

Chocolate Earl Grey Tea Freeze – Nancy @Kindred Kitchen

Citrus Spiked Chai Sun Tea – Anne @Craving Something Healthy

And if you need any more excuses to drink more iced tea, here are 5 healthy reasons (plus more tea recipes like this Lavender Mint Iced Tea) – EA @The Spicy RD

Do you like iced tea? What are your favorite flavors?

Nancy Granada

Saturday 1st of August 2015

ALL over the sun tea this weekend (can't wait to try using my favorite new sweetener in it--organic raw coconut syrup. I'm kind of addicted). With ANOTHER stretch of 95-degree plus weather in the PNW, the tea might actually come to a boil in the sun! I have to admit---I'm kind of looking forward to the return of the rainy season :)

Regan @ The Healthy Aperture Blog

Wednesday 15th of July 2015

It's crazy, but even as a southern gal I've never been much on iced tea. But maybe I've just never had "good" tea :) This sounds yummy!

Deanna Segrave-Daly

Wednesday 22nd of July 2015

I guess it's like this Philly girl never really being into cheesesteaks :)

Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Wednesday 15th of July 2015

Oh my goodness! me too. Bringing it inside is the hardest to remember for me too! Lol. I'll have to try your phone trick!

Deanna Segrave-Daly

Wednesday 15th of July 2015

LOL - glad to know I'm in good company!

Jennifer @NourishedSimply

Wednesday 15th of July 2015

I love tea. We brew tea a few times each week. Sun tea of course in the summer.

Deanna Segrave-Daly

Wednesday 15th of July 2015

I cannot wait to try your mango pineapple version - sounds amazing!

Kristina @ Love & Zest

Tuesday 14th of July 2015

oooooo- the husband is a tea fanatic. I need to try this!

Deanna Segrave-Daly

Tuesday 14th of July 2015

Yes, you must :) Let me know what Eric thinks!

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