My Grandma's Sun Tea

This recipe holds a special place in my heart—it's my grandma's sun tea, a staple of our summers in the scorching desert of Blythe, California. Every year, under the relentless sun, she'd make this tea, and it would disappear faster than she could make it, with our family going through pitchers of it in no time. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, but the true magic happens when you leave the tea out to brew under the sun on a hot summer day, just as my grandma did.

Ingredients:

• Half a gallon of water
• 9 Lipton black tea bags
• 1.5 cups of sugar
• 2 lemons
• 1 ounce of mint (about two packs)

Directions:

1. On one of the hottest days of summer, in a large half-gallon pitcher with a lid, add fresh water.
2. Attach the tea bags to the edge of the pitcher and close the lid.
3. Place the pitcher out in the sun around 10 AM, before the sun is at its highest, and let it sit until the sun starts to set.
4. After hours of brewing in the hot sun, remove the tea bags.
5. Squeeze the juice from two lemons into the pitcher, being careful not to include seeds. Include a little bit of the pulp if you like.
6. Add sugar and mint to the tea. The longer the mint sits in the tea, the better the flavor.
7. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
8. Serve the tea over lots of ice and enjoy.
9. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Tips:

• Make sure the pitcher is in a spot where it won’t be disturbed and can receive unobstructed sunlight for several hours.
• If you prefer a less sweet tea, start with less sugar and adjust to taste.

Serving Suggestions:

• Garnish with extra lemon slices and mint sprigs for a refreshing touch.
• This tea pairs wonderfully with light summer meals or as a relaxing afternoon refreshment.