There’s something nostalgic about a glass of sun tea. Maybe it’s the way the amber liquid glows in the light, or the slow, simple ritual of setting a jar out on the porch and letting nature do the brewing. We’re all about slow living at The Tea & Candle Company!
But sun tea is more than just a charming throwback. It has roots in American ingenuity and homegrown ritual, and making it today connects us with a slower, more intentional way of enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It’s summer in a glass—a tradition that feels as comforting as a warm breeze and as refreshing as a splash of lemon.
There’s something quietly magical about sun tea. Maybe it’s the golden glow of the brew, the way the flavors unfold slowly under the warmth of the sun, or simply the joy of turning something as ordinary as tea into a summertime ritual.
At The Tea & Candle Company we believe in celebrating the cozy, the seasonal, and the sensory. And sun tea? It’s all three. With just a jar, some of our signature loose-leaf blends or tea sachets, and a bit of sunshine, you can create something as refreshing as it is beautiful.
Let’s step into the sunshine and explore how—and why—to make sun tea.
🌞 A Little History: Why Was Sun Tea Created?
Sun tea became popular in the United States during the 1960s and ’70s, particularly in the South and Midwest, where summer days are long, hot, and full of porch-sitting potential. The idea was simple and practical: instead of boiling water to brew tea (and heating up the kitchen), people discovered that they could use the sun’s warmth to slowly steep tea over several hours.
It wasn’t just about convenience—it was about pace. Sun tea wasn’t rushed. It turned an everyday drink into a slow ritual, one that invited you to pause, plan ahead, and savor the rewards later, glass by cool glass.
🍋 How to Make Sun Tea
What You’ll Need:
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A clear glass jar or pitcher (1 to 2 quarts)
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4–6 tablespoons of your favorite The Tea & Candle Company loose leaf tea blend in a strainer or sachet
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Fresh water
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Optional: lemon slices, fresh herbs (like mint or basil), or fruit
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Sunshine!
Instructions:
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Fill the Jar or Pitcher: leaving an inch or so of space at the top.
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Add filled tea strainer or sachets: For a 2-quart jar, that’s usually 4–6 tablespoons, depending on how strong you like your tea.
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Seal and Set in the Sun: Cover the jar with a lid or cloth and place it in a sunny spot outdoors or on a windowsill. Let it steep for 3–5 hours or to your level of briskness.
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Taste and Chill: Once it’s steeped to your liking, remove the tea bags and refrigerate. Serve over ice with optional lemon, honey, or fresh herbs.
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Enjoy! Best consumed within 1–2 days for peak freshness.
✨ A Simple Luxury
Making sun tea is about more than just hydration—it’s a little ceremony of patience and pleasure. It encourages us to embrace slowness, honor the sun’s warmth, and turn the everyday into something beautiful.
So next time the forecast promises sunshine, set out a jar, light a summery candle, and let nature brew your next glass of bliss. While your sun tea brews, elevate the experience with one of our soothing candles that matches the mood.
