This is a print preview of "Sweet Southern Sun Tea" recipe.

Sweet Southern Sun Tea Recipe
by Wendi Taylor

Sweet Southern Sun Tea

Good, old-fashioned sweet tea cooked by mother nature & sweetened with real sugar. A traditional southern treat.

Note: Yes, there is a school of thought that sun tea can be 'dangerous' because it doesn't get hot enough to kill bacteria - but people have been drinking it for hundreds of years. If you're skittish, don't do it, simple as that. You can (and should), however, minimize risks by never adding sugar to the tea before it cooks, refrigerating cooked tea immediately, and limiting the time tea is stored. As with any food, if it doesn't look, smell, or taste 'right,' throw it out.

Rating: 4/5
Avg. 4/5 1 vote
  United States American
  Servings: 16 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 gallon glass mason jar (or sun tea jar purchased from a retail store - the main thing is that it needs to be glass)
  • 1 gallon cold water
  • 6 - 8 tea bags (depending on preference of tea strength)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar

Directions

  1. Fill the mason jar with cold water.
  2. Remove 2 cups of water and reserve.
  3. Add tea bags and place lid on tightly.
  4. Place jar in direct, bright sunlight (if your home is air conditioned the jar needs to be outside so it will get warm enough).
  5. When the tea is ready (approximately 3 - 4 hours depending on temperature & sunlight), heat reserved water to a boil in a sauce pan.
  6. Turn off heat, add brown sugar, and stir until dissolved.
  7. Pour mixture into tea and stir thoroughly.
  8. Serve over ice.
  9. Garnish with a lemon wedge if desired.