Herbal Sun Tea

If you’ve never made sun tea before, let this be your gentle invitation to try one of summer’s most soothing, simple rituals. Sun tea is exactly what it sounds like, tea brewed slowly by the heat of the sun, rather than steeped with boiling water. This floral sun tea blend is caffeine-free, gorgeously colored, and perfect for sipping over ice with a slice of lemon. It’s a beautiful way to connect with the herbs you’re steeping, and with the day itself.

Herbal sun teas have a long history in folk traditions, especially in rural parts of the U.S., where placing jars of herbs and water on back porches or windowsills was a common practice to draw out the gentle flavor and energy of plants. This blend features a handful of classic herbs known for their feel-good properties. Lavender adds a calming floral note, traditionally used to promote relaxation and ease tension. Hibiscus brings a vibrant pink hue and a tart, tangy flavor, plus it’s beloved for being rich in antioxidants. Lemon verbena brightens the whole blend with its lemony aroma, often associated with a sense of uplift. Calendula adds sunny color and a mellow, earthy sweetness, while red clover blossoms have long been used in herbal traditions for their gentle balancing properties. Together, these herbs create a tea that feels both grounding and elevating.

One of the best parts about making sun tea is how incredibly easy it is. There’s no fancy equipment needed, just a mason jar, some dried herbs, fresh water, and a sunny windowsill or outdoor spot. You can prep it in the morning, go about your day, and come back in the afternoon to a jar of fragrant, flavorful tea. It’s a laid-back, low-effort way to enjoy the benefits of herbal infusions, and it’s endlessly customizable depending on what you have on hand.

To make this sun tea, start by adding dried hibiscus petals, dried lavender, dried red clover blossoms, dried calendula flowers and a few leaves of lemon verbena to a large mason jar. Along with a handful of dried apple pieces for a bit of natural sweetness.

Fill the jar to the top with fresh, room-temperature water and stir gently. Screw on the lid and set the jar in direct sunlight for 3 to 5 hours. 

Once it’s infused to your liking, strain out the herbs and chill the tea in the fridge, or pour it over ice right away. It’s delicious as is, or with a drizzle of honey and a lemon slice.

This recipe uses herbs for calm and cooling, but feel free to adjust the recipe with what you have to hand. Some other ingredients to try are peppermint, rose petals, green tea etc. 

*This article is intended for informational purposes. The statements above have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.