How to Make Herbal Sun Tea Using What’s in Your Garden
There’s something beautifully simple about making sun tea—just herbs, sunshine, and a little patience. On hot summer days, it’s one of our favorite ways to slow down and enjoy the garden’s abundance. With no need for boiling water or fancy tools, sun tea lets you turn a handful of fresh herbs into a refreshing, flavorful drink using nothing but a glass jar and the power of the sun.
As the days stretch longer and the light lingers well into the evening, there’s no better time to brew a batch than around the summer solstice. The longest day of the year is a natural invitation to pause, soak up the sun, and celebrate the fullness of the growing season. Making sun tea during this time feels like a small but meaningful ritual—honoring the light, the land, and the nourishment it brings.
Whether you’re growing mint in a pot by the porch or have a whole herb bed in full bloom, you likely already have everything you need to make a delicious garden-to-glass tea. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to choose the right herbs, simple brewing steps, our favorite flavor combinations, and a few tips to make sure your sun tea is as safe as it is tasty.
What is Sun Tea?
Sun tea is exactly what it sounds like—tea brewed slowly using the warmth of the sun. Instead of boiling water, you let the sun gently steep fresh herbs (or tea bags) in a clear glass jar over the course of a few hours. The result is a light, flavorful infusion that’s perfect for sipping over ice on a hot day.
This method isn’t just nostalgic—it’s practical. Sun tea requires no stovetop, no electricity, and no fuss. It’s a simple, energy-efficient way to enjoy the herbs you’ve grown with care, and it often results in a smoother, less bitter flavor than hot-brewed teas.
That said, a quick safety note: because sun tea is brewed at lower temperatures, it’s important to start with clean, food-safe herbs and fresh water, and to refrigerate the tea promptly after brewing. We’ll cover more tips on safe brewing later in this post—but for now, just know that sun tea is an easy and enjoyable way to turn your backyard herbs into a refreshing treat.
Choosing Your Herbs (Garden-to-Glass)
One of the best parts of making herbal sun tea is how customizable it is—especially when you’re pulling ingredients straight from your garden. Many common herbs not only thrive in backyard beds and containers but also shine in a glass of freshly brewed sun tea. Whether you’re after something soothing, invigorating, or floral, there’s likely a combination growing just outside your door.
Here are a few favorite herbs to use in sun tea:
Mint (peppermint, spearmint, or apple mint): Cooling and refreshing, mint is a sun tea classic. Great on its own or blended with other herbs.
Lemon Balm: Lightly citrusy and calming, lemon balm adds brightness and a mellow mood boost.
Chamomile: Known for its gentle, soothing properties—especially good for a pre-evening wind-down tea.
Lavender: Floral and fragrant, lavender adds a calming aroma and taste. Use sparingly, as it can be strong.
Lemon Verbena: Bright and citrus-forward, it blends beautifully with almost any other herb.
Basil (especially lemon basil or holy basil): Adds an unexpected savory twist with grounding, earthy notes.
Rose Petals: Soft and floral, they lend a subtle sweetness and make the tea feel extra special. Be sure they’re from an edible, unsprayed variety.
Want to take your tea up a notch? Try adding a few slices of citrus—like lemon, lime, or orange—for a bright, tangy twist. A handful of fresh berries can bring natural sweetness and a subtle fruit flavor, while a drizzle of raw honey stirred in after brewing adds just the right touch of richness. These simple additions not only enhance the taste but also make your sun tea feel a little extra special.
Just make sure your herbs are clean, pesticide-free, and picked fresh. A quick rinse and gentle bruise (just roll them between your fingers) will help release their essential oils and deepen the flavor of your tea.
Up next, we’ll walk you through the simple step-by-step process for brewing your sun tea from scratch.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Herbal Sun Tea
Making sun tea is as simple as it gets—but a little intention goes a long way in creating a clean, flavorful, and safe brew. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you turn your fresh garden herbs into a refreshing herbal infusion.
What You’ll Need:
A large glass jar with a lid (quart or half-gallon works well)
Fresh herbs (about ½ cup of loosely packed herbs per quart of water)
Filtered or clean water
A sunny spot to set your jar (a porch, patio, or sunny windowsill)
Optional: fruit, honey, or edible flowers for added flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Harvest and rinse your herbs.
Snip herbs early in the day when their oils are most potent. Rinse gently to remove dirt or bugs.Bruise the leaves slightly.
Roll or crush the herbs lightly between your fingers to help release their natural oils and flavors.Fill your jar with herbs and water.
Place the herbs into your clean glass jar, then fill it with filtered water. If you’re adding citrus slices or berries, toss them in now.Seal and place in the sun.
Put the lid on your jar and set it in a sunny spot for about 3–5 hours. The longer it sits, the stronger the flavor.Strain and chill.
Once brewed, strain out the herbs and any add-ins. Refrigerate the tea right away and enjoy within 24–48 hours.Sweeten if desired.
Add a touch of raw honey or maple syrup after brewing, once the tea has cooled slightly. Stir, sip, and enjoy!
Sun tea is all about enjoying what’s fresh, seasonal, and available. It’s a low-effort, high-reward ritual that connects you to your garden in the most delicious way.
Favorite Flavor Combinations
One of the joys of making sun tea is experimenting with different herbs and flavors until you find a combination that feels just right. Whether you’re going for something soothing, energizing, or just plain refreshing, there’s a blend for every mood and moment.
Here are a few of our favorite herbal sun tea combinations to try:
Mint + Lemon Balm
Light, cooling, and calming—perfect for hot afternoons or a gentle digestive boost after meals.Lavender + Chamomile
Floral and soothing, this blend is great for winding down in the evening or creating a little pocket of calm during a busy day.Basil + Berries
A refreshing mix of savory and sweet. Holy basil or lemon basil pairs especially well with strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.Lemon Verbena + Rose Petals
Bright, fragrant, and slightly sweet—this blend feels like summer in a cup. Add a slice of lemon for an extra zing.Mint + Citrus Slices
A zesty, uplifting combo that’s incredibly thirst-quenching. Great for sipping during gardening or outdoor work.
These blends are just starting points—feel free to mix and match what you have on hand. The best part of sun tea is making it your own. If you're not sure where to start, pick two herbs you love individually and see how they work together.
Tips for Safe and Delicious Sun Tea
While sun tea is simple and refreshing, there are a few safety guidelines to keep in mind to ensure your brew stays fresh and healthy. Because it’s steeped at lower temperatures, it doesn’t get hot enough to kill off all bacteria, so a little extra care goes a long way.
Here are our top tips for brewing safe, delicious sun tea:
Start with clean herbs and containers.
Always rinse your herbs gently to remove dirt and insects, and use a clean glass jar that’s been washed in hot, soapy water (or run through the dishwasher).Use filtered or purified water.
This helps keep your tea tasting crisp and minimizes any bacteria or chemical exposure that could come from untreated water.Steep in the sun for no more than 3–5 hours.
After that, bacteria can start to grow, especially in warmer climates. Once your tea is flavorful, bring it inside and strain it right away.Refrigerate promptly.
Sun tea should be stored in the fridge immediately after brewing and enjoyed within 24–48 hours. The colder storage slows any bacterial growth.Avoid adding sweeteners before brewing.
Honey or sugar added before steeping can encourage bacteria. If you'd like to sweeten your tea, do so after it's brewed and cooled.Use edible, non-toxic herbs only.
Stick to culinary or medicinal herbs you can confidently identify. When in doubt, look it up or leave it out—especially with flowers or wild-foraged ingredients.
With just a few precautions, sun tea can be a safe and delightful summer ritual. Trust your senses—if it smells off or looks cloudy after refrigeration, it’s better to compost it and start fresh.
Final Thoughts
Herbal sun tea is more than just a refreshing summer drink—it’s a simple, grounding ritual that connects you to the garden, the season, and the plants you’ve grown with care. With just a few snips of fresh herbs, a sunny spot, and a little patience, you can create something beautiful, nourishing, and entirely your own.
Whether you're brewing a calming blend to sip on the porch or a zesty infusion to keep you cool during garden chores, sun tea is an easy way to slow down and savor what’s growing right outside your door. So grab a jar, head out to the herb patch, and let the sun do the steeping.
If you give it a try, we’d love to see what you create! Tag us on Instagram @henandhavenllc to share your favorite blends. Cheers to sunshine, simplicity, and a good glass of garden-grown tea.