How to Cold Brew Tea

Learn how quick and easy it is too cold brew tea and why you might want to consider using this simple method when making your next cup of tea.

I think there are two strong camps when it comes to tea drinkers – hot tea drinkers, and iced tea drinkers. While I typically have my tea hot, I do occasionally enjoy a tall glass of iced chilled tea during the hot summer months. When the temperature is in the 100s, who wants to even look at the stovetop? The good news is that you can make a perfect cup of cold tea using this easy cold brewing method! Almost any tea can be cold brewed and there are some reasons why making tea this way, may be best!

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Why You Will Love Cold Brew Tea

• Easy to Make
• Economical
• Tastes Wonderful
• Refreshing
• Easy to Customize 

What is Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brewing tea is a method of preparing tea with cold water instead of hot. Tea leaves are measured into a jar and cold water is poured over the tea and allowed to infuse slowly in the refrigerator for several hours. This process is so easy and it takes only 2 quick steps to prepare. It may take a few hours or even overnight to extract the tea flavor you desire fully. If you enjoy iced tea, you will love cold brew tea!

Can You Cold Brew Tea?

Yes, you can cold brew tea! In my experience, almost any tea that is enjoyed cold or over ice can be cold brewed. You can use any tea you want, in almost any form, from tea bags to loose leaf tea. True teas such as black tea and green tea are delicious when cold brewed as well as many herbal teas.

Cold Brew Tea Loose Leaf Tea

Loose leaf tea can as easily be cold brewed as tea bags. You can measure the tea directly into your jar or use an infuser ball. Note that some tea experts do not recommend infuser balls and suggested that they restrict the tea too much to fully infuse. A positive to cold brewing loose leaves is that the leaves have plenty of room to move around unrestricted in the water. You can simply remedy this by using a strainer to strain out the tea when finished steeping.

Cold Brew Tea Bags

You can certainly cold brew tea using tea bags! Tea bags have their place and they are extremely convenient, especially for travel. Cold brewing has become increasingly popular as a way of making tea without the use of the stove. Cold brewing has its merits in tea drinking. In fact, several tea companies have created special cold infusion teas. These teas infuse in minutes rather than several hours. I have personally used Twinings cold infuse tea and have found it perfect for travel or making tea when I’m on the go. Lipton also has cold infuse tea although I am not as familiar with it. 

Ingredients

There are only two ingredients for making cold infuse tea. However, you can add sweetener after the tea is prepared and garnish with herbs such as mint or rosemary. This tea can be enjoyed with or without ice.

• Tea – Your choice of tea. Use 1-1.5 teaspoons of tea per 1 cup of water. (8 fluid ounces) This can be multiplied to make more tea.
• Water – Water plays an important role in the flavor of your tea. I like to use fresh filtered water or spring water.

How to Cold Brew Tea

Preparing cold-brewed tea is extremely quick and easy. The hard part is waiting for all the wonderful tea flavors to be extracted from the water! I typically prepare my cold brew the night before. Then in the morning, I strain out the tea solids and enjoy my tea throughout the day!

1. Measure tea into a mason jar or pitcher with a lid. (You can also use a tea diffuser to make removing tea solids easier)
2. Pour water over the tea.
3. Tightly attach the lid.
4. Refrigerate tea for at least 4 hours. I prefer mine to steep overnight for up to 12 hours.
5. Strain out tea solids.
6. Pour over ice and enjoy!

Cold Brew Tea Recipe

Kitchen Supplies

Pitcher with Lid or Mason Jar with Lid

Ingredients

• Tea
• Water

Instructions

1. Spoon tea into your jar. 
2. Pour water over the tea and secure the lid.
3. Refrigerate for 4-12 hours.
4. Remove tea leaves.
5. Serve with or without ice.

Recipe Notes:

• If you desire stronger tea, use more tea leaves.
• Simple syrup is perfect for sweetening cold tea as it is already dissolved and will mix easily into the tea.
• Add mint, rosemary, or lemons.
• Serve over ice.
• Use straws to enjoy your tea!

Cold Brew Green Tea

Yes, you can cold brew green tea and it is a great way for making green tea! You can find more details on cold brewing green tea here.

Cold Brew Herbal Tea

Herbal tea can certainly be cold brewed! I also have recipes specifically for cold brewing chamomile herbal tea and roselle herbal tea.

Cold Brew Matcha

Matcha cold brew is made in minutes and is so refreshing. Matcha contains caffeine and so many health benefits! See my recipe here.

Cold Brew Iced Tea

No need to heat up the kitchen to make a refreshing glass of iced tea. Simply cold brew your tea first and serve over ice! 

Cold Brew Lipton

Lipton tea can be cold brewed. Lipton also makes special infuse cold brew tea.

Cold Brew Tea Benefits

One of the top benefits of cold brewing tea is that it extracts less caffeine into the tea liquid. If you are wanting to reduce a bit of caffeine in your cup this might be the method for you. This method of tea preparation also reduces the number of tannins extracted into the tea. Tannins are a bitter compound found in tea. For teas such as green tea which are high in tannins, cold brewing is a great option. 

Cold Brew vs Hot Brew Tea

Both hot brewing and cold brewing tea are wonderful ways to make tea. Cold brewing does not heat the water first but adds tea directly to the cold water and infuses while in the refrigerator for several hours. Hot brewing tea is the traditional and most common way of making tea. When hot brewing tea, the flavor will be extracted from the tea leaves in just a few minutes. Both methods are acceptable ways to make tea.

Storage

Store your tea in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Some teas may last longer however if your tea starts to look or smell rancid be sure to discard it immediately. If you are wondering if your brewed tea had gone bad, see here for more details on how to tell if you should discard your tea.

Caffeine

True teas such as black tea, green tea, oolong tea, and white tea all contain caffeine. Most herbal teas do not contain caffeine with the exception of Yerba mate and its varieties.

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• Strawberry Iced Tea
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