Brew Some Summer Sun Tea

This is an excerpt from my new book: Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Brightest Day. The full chapter includes information about summer flowers, how light impacts the way we and different pollinators see flowers, creating an herbarium and a floral luncheon made with edible flowers. (Where this recipe came from!)

Red Clover Sun Tea

This recipe is fantastic because it not only uses summer flowers, but it is made with the help of the sun! I can remember making sun tea with my mom as a little girl and it was basically magic. Red clover on its own makes a tasty and healthy tea, but we add my kids’ favorite tea bags to make it more familiar for them. If I wasn’t trying to please picky kids, I would use the hibiscus instead. I use the folk measurement method here– I don’t really measure anything, just a pinch of this and a handful of that.

Ingredients:

• A handful of red clover flowers (plus more for garnish)
• A handful of dried hibiscus flowers OR a favorite herbal tea blend
• A handful of dried rosehips
• A pinch of lemon balm or hyssop (reserve a little for garnish)
• Honey
• White clover flowers (for garnish)

Method:

Fill a pitcher (preferably one with a lid) with water and add your tea ingredients. Place in a sunny spot and let it steep for a few hours. Once it’s developed a deep brown-red color (this will vary depending on your tea choice), chill and serve with a touch of honey, ice, and some reserved clover flowers.

Enjoy!