The subtle and powerful hydration of sun tea makes summer much more fun! A natural and delicious way to add electrolytes and minerals to your water to keep you moving on summer’s hottest days! Here in Missouri the heat index can climb well into the triple digits and you may find yourself dripping with sweat in the shade. This is our family’s favorite beverage to encourage a cooling effect on the body with select herbs, while replenishing our minerals and electrolytes so we can keep up with demands of farm life in the summer.

Ingredients:

• Loose Leaf Tea – sold in the mercantile or make your own blend or purchase at store. In summer we prioritize cooling herbs like mint, lavender, and hibiscus. My favorite caffeinated is black tea, lavender, and orange peel. My favorite herbal blend is a simple mint and lavender or plain mint.
• Filtered Water – We use a Berkey to filter our tap water. Tap water works here too. By sitting in the sun for a few hours, the chlorine will gas out yielding a more mild flavor.
• Raw Honey (optional – good for sweetening and extra electrolytes)
• Sea Salt (optional – good for extra electrolytes)

Instructions:

Add your tea into a 1 quart Mason jar. I like to add a couple Tablespoons, which makes a strong concentration to be diluted later. Then fill to the top with filtered water. Place in a sunny spot like a front porch or patio for a few hours to steep. The sun’s energy and the heat will aid in the slow steeping.

Filter through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher and fill to brim with filtered water. Add raw honey to taste and stir well to dissolve. Add a pinch of sea salt here too if you choose.

Place in fridge and enjoy over ice or plain.