Sun tea is made with loose leaf black tea (works better than green tea, which gets bitter as it steeps). You put a sealed jug of tea leaves and water in the sun for a few hours and you have a nice tea that's good for icing.
And it's not even necessary to get loose leaf tea, except that the quality is usually better and it is easier to strain out whole leaves. So make it with your favorite bag tea if you like--just be aware that not all bag tea makes good iced tea.
I got Tazo berry trifle because the dried fruit would add something interesting to the iced tea and would certainly hold up well in a slow steep.
Here's the recipe.
- 2 tbsp. black tea
- 30 oz. water
- peel of one lemon
- sugar to taste
- lemon wedges
Combine all ingredients except sugar and lemon wedges in a large clear container with ice. Place in the sun for 4 hours or more. Strain into a pitcher and sweeten to taste. (I used demerara sugar syrup, but the pink stuff is fine.) Garnish with lemon wedges.
You can also make Refrigerator Tea using the same method, but you should leave it overnight. It's a lot slower. The same recipe works, though. Add mint leaves--I tried it and it is very cooling--instead of lemon peel.
I garnished mine with a fresh strawberry! Do as you wish. It's all about relaxing and taking your time.