Sweet Summertime Sun Tea!

What You’ll Need: mason jars with lids scissors tea bags, regular or decaf, one for each jar distilled or spring water (cold or at room temperature) fruit (not overly ripe, cut into slices or small pieces, & preferably organic) mint, basil, or other fruit-friendly herbs timer tongs a place in the sun… a large tub with lots of ice (or a fridge)

Directions: 1.) Sterilize the jars/lids or wash the mason jars and lids thoroughly with very hot water and soap. Rinse well. This step is essential to prevent bacterial growth. We aren’t canning here but we still want to take proper precautions. 2.) Place 1 tea bag in each mason jar, cutting off the string part of the tea bag if necessary. Pour cold distilled water into the jar leaving a 1 1/2″ clearance under the rim (you want room to fill the fruit in later). Screw lid on mason jars tightly.

3.) In hot weather under direct sunlight, place the jars of lid-covered tea to brew. In weather above 90 degrees F you can easily do this in one hour. Set a timer to keep track of time. (If it’s not hot where you are or you simply don’t like this sunning method, just park the tea in the fridge to steep for 6-8 hours. You’ll get the same end result.)

4.) After 1 hour, take the jars of tea out of the sun. Open jars and use tongs to place fruit slices/pieces or herbs into each jar. Screw lids on tightly. Plunge the mason jar teas into a tub of ice or place them in the fridge for easy drinking later.

***Entertaining Tip: If you are serving these at a party put a small tub or container next to the tub of sun teas. Guests can drop the jar lids in when they start sipping.