Sun Tea

Summer is definitely just around the corner.

We've had high temperatures of 100 degrees and it feels wonderful outside, which means we're spending more time wearing flip flops and shorts, reading out on the patio, embracing the warm sun rays and taking in the sweet scent of flowers as they start blossoming around us.

But it also means we're thirsty, thirsty for something cold and yummy that will quench our thirst while screaming out that Summer is truly here.

Don't know about ya'll, but we love some good old Sun Tea.

I think what I like the most about it is that I don't have to do much work at all, I throw the water in the pitcher, I add the tea bags and I set it out on my patio table in the sun, then walk away for an hour or two.

So, here's how I make mine.....

Water
6 bags of tea (I just buy those cheap boxes that have 100 in them)
Sugar to taste

Fill a 2 quart container with water, add the tea bags and then put the lid back on.

Set outside in direct sunlight for about 2 or 3 hours, it will depend on how strong you like your tea, we don't like ours very strong, so just go with what works for your family.

When done, remove the tea bags, add sugar to taste and stir well.

Place the lid back on and pop it into the refrigerator, OR, you can do we do because we love it and don't want to sit there and wait for it to chill. We pour ourselves a glass and add some ice.

I like adding a slice of lemon to mine too.

This is by far the tastiest sweet tea you can have, trust me. Best part is that you can make a fresh batch whenever you need it, matter of fact, I just made this one and it's already nearing the bottom, time to go put another one out in the sun :)

Enjoy!

Sipping the day away......

because it's a Saturday, and Saturday's are the brought to you by the same people who bring you porch swings, big glasses of Iced Tea and Family time.

I'm feeling so much better, thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. I think these summer colds are worse than the winter ones, but on the other hand, I seem to get over these faster so it's all good.

I've been taking it easy, relaxing, resting, keeping hydrated and consuming loads of vitamin C and liquids and broths. I'm well on the way to recovery, minus a nagging cough but that's ok.

One of my favorite summer time beverages is Iced Tea, or Sweet Tea as it's known in the South.

It doesn't last very long in this house, matter of fact I always feel like I'm refilling the pitcher or jar.

Which brings me to this question.......have you ever made Sun Tea? It's definitely a southern favorite, though admittedly I've never been to the south but I'm a huge fan of all things Southern.

Because I have an it's delicious, though there has been some controversy about how safe it is to drink because of the water and so forth. I always make it with filtered water and honestly, it doesn't last long enough to worry about it going bad.

I may as well make use of the hot temps here in Arizona.

It's super easy to make so here's a quick recipe if you want to try it for yourself.

Sun Tea

4-6 tea bags



Put 4 to 6 tea bags into a clean 2 quart glass container. Fill with water and cap. Place outside where the sunlight can strike the container for about 3 to 4 hours. Move the container if necessary to keep it in the sun. When the tea has reached its desired strength, remove from sun and put it in the refrigerator. You may or may not want to remove the tea bags at this point. (I always remove mine)

The tea will probably taste more mellow than what you are used to from using boiling water. The slow seeping has a way of bringing out a slightly different flavor from the tea. Also, because you didn't use boiling water, you should refrigerate the tea and drink it up pretty quickly - a day or two. It will not keep as well as iced tea made from boiling water.

You can add in some mint leaves or I usually add in lemon, orange or lime slices.


Mmmmmm! Enjoy!