Learn how to cold brew tea for a refreshing way to get your tea fix in, even in the peak summer months! Serve it unsweetened or sweet, with a squeeze of citrus, or with fresh herbs for a natural soda alternative. This method creates a smooth, aromatic brew, giving you the perfect cup every time.
Cold Brew Tea 101
Cold brewing is a gentle way of extracting tea flavors, resulting in a less bitter, more aromatic tea. Tea leaves (or tea bags) are steeped in cold water in the fridge for hours rather than minutes.
Just like hot brewing, the choice of tea plays a big role in the final taste of your cold brew. You can cold brew any tea, but the better the quality of the tea, the better the final flavor. Loose-leaf tea is often preferred for its full flavor profile, but tea bags work well too.
Love tea? Make Kombucha!
We love brewing kombucha around here, which is a type of fermented tea. (And this cold brewed tea can be used to make a batch of kombucha!)
The Perfect Ratio and Time
The basic rule of thumb for cold brewing tea is to use 1 tea bag or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per 6 ounces of water. Timing-wise, I find the sweet spot to be about 8 hours, but you can leave it in the fridge for up to 12 hours for a stronger brew.
The slow infusion process at a lower temperature extracts a smooth, rich flavor without the bitter tannins that sometimes happen with hot-brewed tea.
Ice tea vs Cold Brew
Iced tea is typically brewed hot and then chilled. Cold brew is tea that has steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smoother, less acidic flavor profile.
How to Cold Brew Tea
Cold-brewing tea is perfect for hot days when you want your beverage to be more refreshing and smooth! Here’s how to cold brew tea, complete with tips for the best results.
1. Choose Your Tea
- Suitable Types: Most teas, from delicate white and green teas to robust black and oolong teas, are suitable for cold brewing. You can choose your favorite variety!
- Opt for loose-leaf tea if you’re after a fuller flavor, or use tea bags for more convenience.
2. Measure the Tea
- Tea-to-Water Ratio: I suggest starting with 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per 6 ounces of water. You can adjust the ratio from there based on your taste preference and the type of tea.
- For a stronger brew, slightly increase the amount of tea rather than extending the steeping time to prevent bitterness.
3. Prepare Your Water
- Water Quality: Start with cold, preferably filtered water. Water quality can significantly affect the taste, so don’t underestimate the importance of this ingredient.
- If your tap water is high in chlorine, let it sit uncovered for a few hours before brewing, or use bottled water.
4. Mix the Tea and Water
- Equipment: Place the tea in a glass pitcher or jar and pour in cold water.
- Gently stir the mixture to ensure all leaves are hydrated and evenly distributed.
5. Steep the Tea
- Duration: Cover with a lid and steep the tea in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours. Delicate teas like green or white may require less time (about 4-6 hours).
- Taste the tea at different intervals to find your preferred strength. Avoid steeping for too long since it can lead to a bitter taste, especially in teas with higher tannin content, like black tea.
6. Straining and Serving
- Final Step: Once the tea has reached your desired strength, strain out the tea leaves and serve it over ice.
- If you like it sweet, add your favorite sweetener. Or, add a slice of lemon for a refreshing twist. You can store the strained cold brew tea in the refrigerator for up to a week.
7. Flavor Experimentation
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to add herbs, fruits, or spices during the steeping process for a unique flavor. You can also try different tea blends!
- Mint, citrus peels, or berries can all add a vibrant twist to your cold brew, especially when paired with green or herbal teas.
FAQs
Cold brew tea is more forgiving than hot brewing since the process takes hours. Over-brewing typically produces a stronger flavor but rarely becomes bitter like over-brewed hot tea.
Yes, you can often reuse the tea leaves for a second batch. The second brew might be lighter in flavor, but it’s an efficient way to enjoy your tea leaves to the fullest!
For most teas, a steeping time of 8-12 hours is perfect. Delicate teas like green or white may require less time (4-6 hours), but it’s important to taste the tea at different intervals to achieve your preferred strength.
How To Cold Brew Tea (Easy Formula)
Ingredients
- 1 bag tea, or 1 ½ teaspoons
- 6 ounces water
Instructions
- Measure: Start with 1 bag or 1 ½ teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per 6 ounces of water. You can adjust the ratio from there based on your preference and the type of tea.
- Assemble: Place the tea in a glass pitcher or jar and add cold water. Gently stir the mixture to ensure all leaves are hydrated and evenly distributed.
- Steep: Steep the tea in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours. Delicate teas like green or white may require less time (about 4-6 hours).
- Taste & Strain: Taste the tea at different intervals to find your preferred strength. Avoid steeping for too long since it can lead to a bitter taste, especially in teas with higher tannin content like black tea. Once the tea has reached your desired strength, strain out the tea leaves and serve it over ice.If you like it sweet, add your favorite sweetener. Or, add a slice of lemon for a refreshing twist. You can store the strained cold brew tea in the refrigerator for up to a week.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
