There’s nothing more nostalgic and refreshing than a big glass of Lipton Sun Tea, chilled over ice and sipped on a warm afternoon. It’s the kind of simple homemade tradition that brings summer into every glass — clear, bright tea brewed slowly in the sunlight, with just enough natural sweetness and flavor to keep you coming back for more.
Unlike stovetop brewing, sun tea uses the warmth of the sun to slowly steep tea bags in a large jar of water over several hours. The result is smoother, less bitter, and incredibly easy to make. This method has been around for decades and is beloved for its hands-off simplicity and clean taste.
Whether you’re brewing a batch for a picnic, a backyard BBQ, or just to keep something refreshing in your fridge, this classic Lipton Sun Tea recipe is a tried-and-true favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s easy, budget-friendly, and tastes like summer. With just water, tea bags, and sunshine, you can make a large batch of refreshing iced tea with minimal effort. There’s no need to boil water or babysit the stove.
Plus, you can customize the flavor — add lemon, mint, berries, or a splash of fruit juice. It’s perfect for family gatherings, and kids can even help put the jar together in the morning and enjoy the results in the afternoon.
What You’ll Need
Basic Ingredients:
- 6 to 8 Lipton black tea bags (regular size)
- 1 gallon (16 cups) cold filtered water
- Optional: ¼ to ½ cup sugar (or preferred sweetener)
- Optional additions: lemon slices, orange slices, fresh mint, berries
Pro Tips
- Use a clean glass jar – Make sure your container is thoroughly washed and sanitized before brewing to avoid any bacteria growth.
- Filtered water is best – It helps ensure a clean, pure flavor without any off-notes from tap water.
- Avoid over-steeping – 3 to 5 hours is enough. Longer than that can make the tea bitter or allow bacteria to grow.
- Don’t refrigerate with tea bags inside – Remove the tea bags once brewing is done to prevent the tea from becoming too strong or astringent.
- Chill before serving – After sun brewing, transfer your tea to the fridge for at least 1 hour so it’s perfectly cold and refreshing.
Tools Required
- 1-gallon glass jar with lid (or plastic if labeled food-safe)
- Long spoon or stir stick
- Fine mesh strainer (if adding fresh fruit or herbs)
- Pitcher (optional, for serving)
- Ice cube tray
Substitutions and Variations
- Herbal twist: Replace 2 black tea bags with hibiscus, peach, or mint tea for extra flavor.
- Sweetener options: Try honey, agave syrup, or a sugar substitute if preferred.
- Fruit infusions: Add sliced strawberries, oranges, or cucumbers to the jar for a subtle infusion while brewing.
- Decaf version: Use Lipton decaffeinated black tea bags if you’re avoiding caffeine.
- Arnold Palmer-style: Mix the finished tea with lemonade for a sweet, citrusy blend.
Make-Ahead Tips
Sun tea is a perfect make-ahead drink. Brew it in the morning, chill it in the afternoon, and serve it by dinner. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a sealed container. For gatherings, make two batches — one sweetened and one unsweetened — to please all guests.
Instructions
1. Prep your container
Thoroughly wash and rinse your 1-gallon jar or container with warm, soapy water. If possible, sanitize it with boiling water or by running it through the dishwasher.
2. Add tea bags and water
Place 6 to 8 Lipton tea bags in the jar, letting the paper tags hang over the rim for easy removal. Fill the jar with 1 gallon (16 cups) of cold filtered water.
3. Set in the sun
Secure the lid loosely and place the jar in a sunny outdoor spot for 3 to 5 hours. Avoid full-day brewing or placing in areas with high contamination risk (like near compost or pets).
4. Remove tea bags and sweeten
After brewing, remove the tea bags and gently squeeze them to release extra flavor. If desired, stir in sugar or sweetener while the tea is still slightly warm from the sun to help it dissolve.
5. Chill and serve
Place the brewed tea in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours to chill. Serve over ice with optional lemon slices, mint sprigs, or fresh berries.
Leftovers and Storage
Store leftover sun tea in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Discard if it becomes cloudy or develops off-smells. For best flavor, always remove any added fruits or herbs before storing to prevent bitterness or spoilage.
Recipe FAQ
1. Is sun tea safe to drink?
Generally yes, if made with clean equipment and consumed within a few days. To reduce risk, you can steep in the sun for only 2–3 hours and finish steeping in the fridge.
2. Can I sweeten the tea after it’s cold?
Yes, but sugar dissolves better while the tea is still warm. If sweetening later, try a liquid sweetener like honey or simple syrup.
3. How many tea bags should I use for stronger flavor?
Use 8 tea bags for a stronger brew or reduce to 6 for a lighter tea. You can also steep a little longer, but avoid over-brewing beyond 5 hours.
4. Can I use green or herbal tea instead of black?
Absolutely. Green tea, white tea, or fruity herbal blends all work beautifully with this method.
Sunshine in a Glass
Lipton Sun Tea is one of those timeless summer traditions that never goes out of style. With minimal ingredients and no heat required, you can brew a full pitcher of refreshing tea that’s smooth, clean, and made for sipping on the porch or sharing with guests. Add lemon, mint, or berries — or keep it classic and simple.
Try this recipe and let me know how it worked for you. Did you customize your tea with fruit or go traditional? Leave a comment below with your version, and let’s celebrate the taste of sunshine — one glass at a time.
