How To Make Cold Brew Tea

Discover how to prepare cold brew tea in just 2 simple steps with this helpful guide. If you’re a fan of iced tea, cold brew tea will quickly become your favorite. This straightforward recipe demonstrates how to utilize loose-leaf Assam tea, green tea, and cold infusion tea bags.

Cold tea recipe and why you should make it at home

If you want to elevate your iced tea experience, cold brew is the perfect method. You’ll enjoy a tea that’s fresh, smooth, rich, and incredibly refreshing.

On hot summer days, it serves as an ideal thirst quencher. Unlike traditional brewing with hot water, cold brew tea is neither bitter nor acidic. Plus, you can enhance the flavor with any sweetener you prefer, be it sugar, stevia, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, or others.

There’s no need for fancy gear to whip up your own cold brew at home. I often repurpose large jars (like those for mayonnaise) for my cold brew coffee and tea.

You only need two ingredients: your choice of tea (loose-leaf, sachet, or cold infusion) and water. How much easier can it get?

It’s entirely hands-free; once you’ve mixed the tea with the water, all you have to do is let it steep in the fridge or on the countertop until it infuses beautifully.

The best tea for cold brewing

The reality is, you can cold brew any type of tea, but the quality of the leaves will influence how flavorful and smooth the drink turns out. While you can experiment with any tea, it’s wise to start with one that you already enjoy.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to use three different types of tea:

1. Assam loose leaf (black tea)
2. Green tea
3. Twining cold infusion tea (flavored tea)

Each of these options yields delicious cold brew teas in their own unique ways. They may taste distinct, but use the same brewing methods. Many people claim that green tea makes the best cold brew, but ultimately, it comes down to personal taste.

For example, if you find it hard to drink plain water, try adding your choice of cold infusion tea to it for added flavor. This could motivate you to drink more and stay hydrated.

If iced tea is your thing, consider using green tea, jasmine tea, Assam, or hibiscus. These teas can easily be flavored with lemon, lime, orange, or any citrus you prefer. You can also add fresh mint leaves, raspberries, or cucumber slices as delightful extras.

What you’ll need

Tea of your choice, be it teabags, sachets, or loose leaf.

A recycled glass jar, a water bottle (BPA free), or a dedicated cold brew bottle.

Infusion teapots or French press (caffettiera), and

Coffee filter paper for an extra smooth tea: this is optional if you’re using large loose tea leaves or sachets (like Lipton, Yorkshire tea, Tetley, Twining, and similar brands). Cheesecloth can work too, but you might end up with tiny tea particles if you’re not careful.

Small hole strainer: ideal for straining.

How to prepare cold brew tea

Now for the easy part: place your teabags, sachets, or loose tea leaves into a jar, fill it with cold filtered water (or bottled water), securely cover it and then place it in the fridge or on the countertop to steep overnight for 8 to 12 hours. If you’re using cold infusion teabags, just follow the packet instructions.

Strain the tea or remove the teabags as needed and serve as you wish. Enjoy!

Tea to water ratio for loose tea leaves or teabags

This largely depends on how strong you prefer your tea. Personally, I use one teabag for ¾ cup (about 6 ounces) of water, and for loose leaves, 2 teaspoons per cup (250ml) of water. If you find your tea too strong, simply dilute it with more water until you reach your desired strength. Alternatively, you can use 1 teaspoon for 1 cup of water, but I find that a bit too light, which is why I double the amount.

How to store your cold brew

Keep the tea in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Helpful tips

• If the brewed tea is stronger than you like, add some water to dilute it.

• Enhance your tea with the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables as you desire.

Explore more cold beverage recipes

Iced coffee

How to make milky tea (YouTube video)

Iced cold matcha latte

Condensed milk coffee

Iced coffee lemonade

Pineapple mango smoothie

Carrot juice (YouTube video)

If you tried this refreshing cold brew tea recipe, remember to leave feedback and rate it 5 stars. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog for free new recipes delivered to your inbox.