Sun Tea: Ya'll just come git some

One of my favorite Southern culinary staples is sun tea.  Until I made it, I had always assumed that it required time (something on short supply these days), lots of dishes (I don't like those), and some sort of special magic (a sacrifice to Phoebus or fairy dust or something).  Not to kill any equally romantic ideas that you may have about the elusive brewing of sun tea, but it's a sinch.

Sun Tea
1) Fill a pitcher with filtered water
2) Place 4 tea bags in it (if they have strings hang them over the side)
3) Put a top on the pitcher or put plastic wrap over the top
4) Let it sit outside in the hot sun long enough for it to turn a nice amber color and be as strong as you like it
[Once it's warm you may mix in honey or sugar to taste; I keep mine unsweetened]
5) Take out the tea bags & put the pitcher in the fridge until it's cold

Speed Version
Do steps 1-4 & then shake the tea with ice in a mixed-drink shaker and pour the tea into a glass over ice.

Flavor Fun
> Squirt lemon juice in at the end for an Arnold Palmer
> 3 bags black tea (I like English or Irish Breakfast) with 1 bag lemon OR 1 bag lemon ginger
> 3 bags black tea and 1 bag pomegranate (or something else fruity and sweet; it makes it taste less bitter and more like sweet tea without the sugar)
> Use all herbal tea or green tea of some sort.  You would be surprised how good even spiced "winter" teas like a red rooibus chai can be when iced.  Mint is very refreshing, as are berry, fruit, and rose-based teas.

Health Notes
* Caffeinated tea has about 1/3 the amount of caffeine as an equal liquid measure of coffee
* Get "naturally decaffeinated" if you want decaf black teas.  The other stuff uses chemicals to remove the caffeine.  The same is true for coffee.
* Get organic tea when possible.  There are no regulations on the amount of pesticides used directly on normal tea leaves.  This is especially important for pregnant and nursing moms so you don't pass the toxins to your little one.
* Good quality tea has lots of health benefits for you, for your colicky baby, and for your kids (in popsicles!)

Drink up!