How To Make Fresh Herbal Sun Tea
It’s an herbalist’s favorite time of year again. The earth has turned green and we have an abundance of plants all around us. What better way to become acquainted with your green allies than by sipping fresh herbal sun tea?
Fresh plant teas produce a sparkling crisp drink that feels like sipping in the summer air. The color, smell and flavor are absolutely delicious!
Perhaps you have some favorite herbs growing in your backyard or along a path you frequently walk? Maybe you’d like to make a single herbal sun tea to get to know the flavor and energetics of each herb on its own. Well, let me encourage you to pluck a few leaves of the plants you know well and make yourself some fresh herbal sun tea today!
Making Fresh Herbal Sun Tea
My favorite way to make a fresh plant tea is to walk around my yard and garden and pluck a few leaves here and there.
Herb availability changes throughout the season as different leaves and flowers come into bloom. My recent blend has been violet leaves, nettle, lemon balm & red clover.
I fill a jar halfway with plants, top with water, and let the sun do its magic… steeping the tea for a few hours. Then I strain and enjoy the tea throughout my day, feeling very connected to the plants right in my own backyard.
Fresh Herbal Sun Tea
(makes 1 quart)
1-2 cups fresh herbs
1 quart pure filtered water
- Add herbs to a 1-quart canning jar. Pour the water over the herbs and let sit in the sun for about 2-3 hours. Strain and enjoy.
- This tea lasts 1-2 days if refrigerated.
*In any infusion prepared without high heat, there is a higher risk of potential bacterial growth. To minimize this, use clean equipment, filtered or boiled water, steep in the sun for just a couple hours, and store in the refrigerator.
For those of you who do not have access to fresh herbs, I’ve included one of my favorite dried herb recipes. It is equally as delicious and prepared the same way.
Dried Herbal Sun Tea
(makes 1 quart)
1 cup red clover blossoms
1 cup red raspberry leaf
½ cup hibiscus flowers
½ cup dried orange peel
- Mix the herbs and store in an airtight container.
- To make herbal sun tea, add ½ to 1 cup of the blend to a 1-quart canning jar. Pour the water over the herbs and let sit in the sun for about 2-3 hours. Strain and enjoy.
- This tea lasts 1-2 days if refrigerated
*In any infusion prepared without high heat, there is a higher risk of potential bacterial growth. To minimize this, use clean equipment, filtered or boiled water, steep in the sun for just a couple hours, and store in the refrigerator.
Take some time and play around with different herbs you have available and different amounts of each one in order to come up with your own favorite custom blends. We’d love to hear about your herbal sun teas!
Have you ever made herbal sun teas? What are your favorite herbs to use in them?
Image c/o @madison.safer.
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