How to Make Sun Tea

Who wants to be indoors making tea on a hot summer day? Let the sun do the work, keeping in mind just a few tips to keep your brew safe.

Step 1: Clean a pitcher Wash a clear pitcher with hot, sudsy water; rinse, and let it air dry. It’s important to sun-brew tea in a sanitized container.
Step 2: Fill with water Fill the pitcher with four cups of cold water, preferably filtered.
TIP: Because of bacteria concerns, don’t brew more sun tea than you can drink in a few hours, and don’t leave sun tea un-refrigerated for more than eight hours.
Step 3: Add tea Add five tea bags or five teaspoons of tea leaves, and cover securely.
TIP: Avoid herbal teas, which do not offer the same protection against the water-borne bacteria Alcaligenes viscolactis that the caffeine in black tea does.
Step 4: Sit it in the sun Place the pitcher in direct sunlight for at least two hours.
Step 5: Remove tea Remove the tea bags or strain out the tea leaves.
Step 6: Add sugar and lemon Pour your tea into ice-filled glasses and add sugar and lemon to taste.
Step 7: Garnish with lemon slices Garnish with lemon slices.
FACT: Tea bags were invented in 1904.