Our Cold Brew Tea Guide
Smooth, refreshing, and almost too easy. Here is everything you need to cold brew tea like you have done it for years.
What Is Cold Brew Tea?
Cold brew tea is tea steeped in cold water instead of hot water. Cold water pulls flavor from the leaves slowly and gently, over hours instead of minutes.
The result is different from hot tea poured over ice. Cold brew often tastes smoother and less bitter, with a naturally sweet, clean finish. Your exact flavor will depend on the tea, the amount you use, and how long you steep.
What You Need
- Your favorite tea, loose leaf or tea bags
- Cold, filtered water (filtered water gives the cleanest taste)
- A pitcher, mason jar, or bottle with a lid. Glass is great because it is less likely to hold odors
- A fine mesh strainer if you are using loose leaf
- A spot in the fridge and a little patience
The Basic Method: Step by Step
- Measure your tea. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water, or 1 tea bag per 8 ounces. Cold water extracts slowly, so using a little more leaf can help you get full flavor.
- Add cold water. Fill your jar or pitcher with cold, filtered water. Make sure the tea is fully under the water and give it a gentle stir.
- Cover and refrigerate. Put the lid on and place it in the fridge. For best food safety and clean flavor, steep cold brew tea in the fridge.
- Wait. Steep times vary by tea type (see the chart below). When in doubt, taste as you go.
- Strain and enjoy. Remove the tea bags or strain out the loose leaves. Serve over ice. If you want to sweeten, simple syrup or honey stirred in after straining tends to mix best.
Ratios and Steep Times by Tea Type
Think of these as starting points. Your taste buds get the final vote.
| Tea Type | Amount per 8 oz Water | Fridge Steep Time |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea | 1 to 2 tsp (or 1 to 2 bags) | 2 to 6 hours |
| White tea | 1 to 2 tsp (or 1 to 2 bags) | 4 to 8 hours |
| Oolong tea | 2 tsp (or 2 bags) | 6 to 12 hours |
| Black tea | 2 to 3 tsp (or 2 to 3 bags) | 6 to 12 hours |
| Herbal tea | 2 to 3 tsp (or 2 to 3 bags) | 8 to 12 hours, or overnight |
Note: Delicate teas like green and white may become bitter or overly astringent if steeped too long. Start at the shorter end, then adjust.
Tips for the Best Flavor
- Taste as you go. Start checking at the short end of the time range. You can always steep longer.
- Use good tea. Cold brewing is gentle, so the true character of the leaf shines through.
- Keep it covered. Tea can pick up fridge odors. A lid keeps your brew tasting like tea.
- Adjust in layers. Too weak? Add more leaf next time, not just more hours. Too strong? Dilute with a splash of cold water.
- Chill your glass. Cold brew served over ice in a chilled glass stays crisp longer on a warm day.
Flavor Ideas to Try
Add any of these before refrigerating, or at serving time:
- Lemon, lime, or orange slices
- Fresh mint, basil, or rosemary
- Sliced strawberries, blueberries, or peaches
- Fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- A splash of fruit juice after straining
Keeping It Fresh and Safe
- Brew in the fridge. Refrigeration helps keep the tea at a safer temperature while it steeps.
- Start with a clean jar. Wash your pitcher or jar with hot, soapy water before each batch.
- Strain when it tastes right. Leaving tea in longer keeps extracting and can make the flavor harsher.
- Drink it fresh. For best flavor, aim to enjoy cold brew within 24 to 48 hours.
- When in doubt, brew fresh. If it smells off, looks cloudy, or tastes strange, pour it out and start over.
Common Questions
Can I cold brew any tea?
Yes. Green, white, oolong, black, and herbal teas can all cold brew beautifully. Lighter teas usually need less time. Darker and herbal teas often do well with longer steeps.
Does cold brew tea have caffeine?
Yes. Cold brew tea has caffeine unless you use a caffeine-free herbal tea. Caffeine varies based on the tea type, how much you use, and steep time.
Why does cold brew taste smoother?
Hot water can pull bitter and astringent compounds out of the leaf quickly. Cold water tends to extract more slowly and gently, which is why cold brew often tastes smoother.
Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaf?
Absolutely. Use one bag per 8 ounces of water as a starting point. Loose leaf gives you more control and often more complex flavor, but bags are convenient and consistent.
How is cold brew different from iced tea?
Iced tea is usually brewed hot and then chilled, which can bring out more bitterness. Cold brew never touches hot water, so it often stays smooth from the start.
Ready to Brew?
Every tea in our collection can be cold brewed. Start with a green for something light and crisp, a black for something bold, or an herbal blend for a naturally caffeine-free refresher.
Shop our teas and taste the difference cold brewing can make. Tag us with #TeaTimeTrivia and #thefoodisgoodlc to show off your brew.