Berry Mint Sun Tea
Sun tea is straight from the summers of my childhood. On hot sunny days when we were home, my mom would break out bags of black tea, place them in a pitcher with lots of water and set it out in the sunshine for sun tea. I loved getting to watch the sun turn the clear water into a dark, rich tea over the course of the day and was always so antsy to fiiiiinally get a cup. Keeping my mother’s sun tea ritual alive, I’ve added my own twist. Instead of using plain black tea, I mix dried herbs and teas with fresh fruit and herbs from my garden, and, of course, still admire the sunshine as it works its magic.
An everyday Market staple of mine are Avalon Acres’ teas. They have gorgeous tea blends made of local herbs which are grown, harvested, dried and prepared all on their farm, where they have been farming regeneratively for over 30 years. You can feel the love and intention that goes in their tea. For this recipe, I used their Red Raspberry Leaf and their #Plant-Hugs blend which consists of echinacea, nettles, oat straw, lemon balm, comfrey and mullein with red clover and echinacea blooms. I also incorporated hibiscus and mint because they are cooling herbs, and finished it off with in-season berries, blackberries and raspberries, that I got from Glen Eco Farm.
This sun tea comes together for a refreshing, vibrant and gentle way to cool down on hot summer day. It is the embodiment of a “plant hug” and perfect for when you’re missing someone like your momma.
Halee Jones
Ingredients
2 tbs #Plant-Hugs from Avalon Acres Farm*
2 tbs Red Raspberry Leaf from Avalon Acres*
8 hibiscus flowers
8 fresh mint leaves
Lots of love
8 blackberries*
8 raspberries*
Very small pinch of sea salt
Method
Prepare ingredients. Slice berries in half and rip mint leaves in half.
Add all of the ingredients to your jar.
Fill to the top with filtered water.
Cover and place in a sunny spot for 3 to 8 hours to infuse.
Strain out ingredients and either pour over ice or place in the refrigerator. Give the plant material to your garden beds or compost.
If you like sweet tea, you can add sweetener to your preference.
Enjoy!
