How to Make Sun Tea in a Gallon Glass Jar

There is something old-fashioned and satisfying about sun tea: fill a big glass jar with water and tea, set it in the sun, and let the afternoon do the brewing. It is nearly effortless, uses no electricity, and makes enough to keep a pitcher in the fridge all week. Here is how to make sun tea in a gallon glass jar, plus a few tips for getting it right and keeping it safe.

What You Need to Get Started

The beauty of sun tea is its simplicity. You need a large, clear glass jar, fresh cold water, and your tea of choice, whether that is bags or loose leaf. A gallon jar is the sweet spot, brewing enough tea for several servings in one go. Our 1 Gallon Glass Mason Jars with Metal Lids are perfect for the job: the clear glass lets sunlight do its work, and the wide mouth makes adding tea and cleaning up easy.

As a starting ratio, use about eight tea bags per gallon of water, then adjust up or down depending on how strong you like it.

The Brewing Steps

Fill your jar with cold water and add the tea. Secure the lid, then set the jar in a sunny spot; a windowsill, porch, or patio table all work well. Let it steep for three to five hours, watching as the water gradually deepens in color. Once it reaches a shade you like, bring it inside and remove the tea.

From there, sweeten it while it is still slightly warm if you like sweet tea, then refrigerate. Serve it over plenty of ice, maybe with a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint. For parties, pour your finished tea into a dispenser like our Dual Gallon Glass Beverage Dispensers so guests can serve themselves.

A Quick Note on Safety

Because sun tea brews at warm rather than boiling temperatures, it is worth a little care. Always start with a clean, sanitized jar, use cold fresh water, and do not let the tea sit out longer than about four hours. Refrigerate it promptly and drink it within a couple of days. If the tea ever looks syrupy or develops fine strands, discard it and start fresh. Brewed and stored well, sun tea is a wonderfully easy summer staple.

Brew a Batch This Weekend

Sun tea is one of those simple pleasures that costs almost nothing and feels like a treat. With one good gallon jar and a sunny afternoon, you will have cold, refreshing tea ready whenever you want it.

Explore our full range of gallon glass jars at Kitchentoolz and pick the perfect vessel for your next batch.