This elderberry hibiscus sun tea is fruity, refreshing, and steeped in the sun for a naturally bold flavor. With just a few simple ingredients and a few hours in the sun, you’ll have the ultimate summer drink ready to pour over ice.
If you enjoy tea-based drinks, you’ll also love this iced green tea lemonade recipe, hibiscus tea lemonade with strawberries, and my pineapple skin tea recipe.
🔍 A Quick Look: Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea Recipe
- 📝 Recipe Name: Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea
- 🕒 Total Time: 30 minutes active + 2-4 hours sun steeping
- 👥 Servings: 6 servings
- 🎯 Key Ingredients: Dried elderberries, hibiscus, clementine, lemon, fresh mint, ginger
- 🌱 Dietary Info: Vegan, caffeine-free, naturally sweetened, herbal
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: Fruity, tart, refreshing with citrus and mint notes
- ✨ Best For: Summer entertaining, afternoon refreshment, hydration, natural antioxidants
- 💕 Why You'll Love It: Sun-brewed for natural flavor, vibrant color, customizable with fruits, refreshing and healthy
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Searching for a summer drink with vibrant flavors and refreshing goodness?
This sun tea medley is fruity, refreshing, and one of my favorite summer rituals. If you haven’t tried sun tea before, you’re in for a treat — it’s such a simple pleasure and something we make all season long.
Simple Prep, Endless Flavors
Prep is simple. In the morning, I simmer the elderberries for 15-20 minutes. And while that’s going on, I prep a Mason jar with the ingredients. It’s easy and very hands-off.
About three hours in the sun and done.
One of the great things about sun tea is the endless possibilities and combinations. I love pairing citrus fruits with hibiscus and elderberry, but it also pairs well with raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, cucumber, lemongrass, and rose, to name a few.
You can also keep it simple and allow the elderberries and hibiscus to shine on their own. This pairing highlights hibiscus’s natural tartness and elderberry’s deep, tangy flavor.
You might also enjoy my hot or iced caffeine-free hibiscus tea and calming herbal tea recipe.
In the Kitchen Tips
- Using filtered water improves overall taste and quality.
- Experiment with steeping time. A shorter time results in milder flavors, while a longer steeping time gives a more intense flavor.
- Try different herbal and fruit combinations. Sun tea is a perfect way to get creative with your flavors. Try chamomile, lavender, basil, or spices like cinnamon or cardamom.
- If you prefer a sweetener, try a touch of maple syrup or honey (if you're not vegan). Add while the sun tea is still warm, so it dissolves naturally.
Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea FAQs
Yes. Elderberries should always be simmered for at least 15 minutes before use to make them safe to drink and bring out their fruity flavor.
Yes. You can do a “cold brew” version by steeping the ingredients in the fridge overnight instead of setting it outside. The elderberries should always be simmered for at least 15 minutes first, no matter which method you use. This makes them safe to drink and brings out their fruity flavor.
It’s optional. I like it unsweetened, but you can add maple syrup, agave, or honey (if not vegan) while the tea is still warm, so it dissolves smoothly.
More Refreshing Drinks
Looking for more refreshing drink recipes perfect for summer? Try these:
I can’t wait for you to try this! If you make it, tag @becomingyouwithjulie on Instagram — I’d love to see yours! And if you have a sec, a quick comment or rating helps more than you know. Thanks so much for being here! 💛
📖 Recipe
Elderberry Hibiscus Sun Tea
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried elderberries
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus, or 6 hibiscus tea bags
- 1 clementine, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1- inch piece of ginger, peeled
Instructions
- Bring 8 cups of water and the elderberries to a boil in a saucepan.
- Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- While that is simmering, add hibiscus, clementine, lemon, mint, and ginger to a large glass jar with a cover. Set aside.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat once finished, and strain out the elderberries.
- Pour the elderberry-infused water into the glass jar, making sure all the ingredients are submerged.
- Cover and place in the sun to steep for 2–4 hours, depending on how strong you prefer it.
- Once finished, transfer to a pitcher filled with ice cubes and additional garnishes of fruit and mint. Alternatively, refrigerate it in an airtight container to keep it fresh and chilled.
- For the best taste, drink within 2 days.
Notes
- Boiling the elderberries before preparing the sun tea helps extract the flavors and ensures safety.
Nutrition
Julie Gaeta is a plant-based recipe creator, certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC) with advanced training in hormone health, trained yoga instructor, former restaurant owner, and mom of nine who’s been plant-based for over 20 years. She’s cooked approximately 4,382 pots of beans and reinvented comfort food more times than she can count. She’s completed multiple half marathons and a Tough Mudder because she can’t resist a new adventure — and apparently, she can’t vacation without cooking either, since her juicer (beets and greens, too) and pasta pot always come along. Julie’s work has been featured in HuffPost, Yahoo, YourTango, Mamamia, MSN, Redfin, Better Humans, and The Good Men Project. Through her blog, coaching, and weekly newsletter, she helps others simplify wellness, build lasting habits, and feel good again — one grounded, delicious choice at a time.
Katie says
It's elderberry harvesting season so this recipe is perfect. So delicious with many variations and bonus for all the immunity properties. Thanks for a wonderful and healthy tea!
Julie Gaeta says
So happy to hear! Thanks for sharing — elderberry season really is the perfect time for this tea.
Julie Gaeta says
We’ve been making this one all summer. It’s easy and I love how the hibiscus and elderberry come together — tart, bold, and super refreshing over ice. A go-to for hot afternoons!