Yes, You Can Cold Brew Tea. Here’s How.

By now you’ve heard of cold brew coffee. But did you know you can cold brew tea, too? This chilly method promises a smooth, sweet beverage that’s perfect for summer sipping.

What is different about cold brew tea?

Cold brew tea stands apart from traditional tea because it never comes in contact with heat. For cold brew, tea is placed in cold water and steeped for several hours. Just like cold brew coffee, the end result has fewer tannins and tastes less bitter. By the way, this is the real difference between iced coffee and cold brew. 

Does cold brew tea have the same benefits of hot tea?

For the most part, yes. Cold brew tea is full of the same antioxidants and health benefits of hot tea. The only drawback is that hot tea can soothe a sore throat or reduce nasal congestion when you have a cold. Cold brew won’t do that.

Is cold brew tea good for you?

Yep! In fact, the cold brew process helps the tea retain some of its natural sweetness, whereas steeping tea in hot water can extract a bitter flavor. Thus, you may end up using less sugar or sweetener in cold brew tea.

How to Cold Brew Tea

Ingredients

• 1 cup cold, filtered water
• 1 tea bag
• Fresh ice

Editor’s Tip: You can adjust this ratio to make cold brew tea for a crowd, or to craft a stronger or weaker brew.

Step 1: Add the tea

Get started by placing your tea bag in the water. If desired, you can also use loose leaf tea—just keep in mind that you’ll need to strain the finished beverage.

Step 2: Let it steep

Place the tea in your refrigerator and let it steep for several hours. Anywhere between 12 and 24 hours will work.

Step 3: Dress it up

Remove the tea bag from the water. Add any desired mix-ins, like simple syrup, citrus slices, fresh fruit, etc. Serve over ice and enjoy!

Next, learn how to make sweet tea like a Southerner.

Our Favorite Iced Tea Recipes

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Taste of Home

Pineapple Iced Tea

With five teenagers, we go through lots of beverages. This thirst-quenching tea is easy to mix up and had a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas

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Bella Basil Raspberry Tea

Beautiful basil and fresh raspberries lend bright color and refreshing flavor to this grown-up iced tea. You’ll love the fun fizz and make-ahead convenience for parties. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington

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Cherry Limeade Sweet Tea

Sweet tea and cherry limeade are two of my favorite summer libations. What could be better than combining them? —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois

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Hibiscus Iced Tea

This calorie and caffeine-free tea has a delightful rosy color.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Sweet Tea Boysenberry Shandy

I love an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day. I also love sweet tea, so one day I got the great idea to mix the two. Wow! It was absolutely delish. I experimented with different flavorings, and this combination was my favorite. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey

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Taste of Home

Smooth Sweet Tea

A pinch of baking soda eliminates bitterness in this smooth and easy-to-sip tea and it has just the right amount of sugar so it's not overly sweet. —kelseylouise, Taste of Home Community Member

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Honey-Citrus Iced Tea

A frozen orange or lemon slice in the glass looks pretty and helps keep this refreshing punch nice and cold. Using honey instead of sugar adds a sweet touch. —Sheila Bradshaw, Columbus, Ohio

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Iced Honeydew Mint Tea

I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. In this minty tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California

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Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea

I like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, Hawaii

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Taste of Home

Refreshing Raspberry Iced Tea

This recipe makes a gallon, so it's a great choice for a springtime party when you have a medium-size crowd. It freezes well, so feel free to make it ahead of time. —Arlana Hendricks, Manchester, Tennessee

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Sweet Tea Concentrate

Sweet iced tea is a southern classic and this is a fabulous recipe for those tea lovers or for a party. The concentrate will make 20 servings. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida

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Lemonade Iced Tea

I have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this irresistible thirst-quencher takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina

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Agua de Jamaica

This agua de jamaica recipe features an iced tea made from hibiscus—tart and deep red like cranberry juice. Add rum if you like. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Raspberry Iced Tea

One sip and you'll likely agree this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted.—Christine Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania

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Rhubarb Mint Tea

A bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington

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Taste of Home

Iced Raspberry Tea

Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good year-round. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia

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Taste of Home

Summertime Tea

You can’t have a summer gathering around here without this sweet tea to cool you down. It’s wonderful for sipping while basking by the pool. —Angela Lively, Baxter, Tennessee

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Apricot Lemonade Iced Tea

Every special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas

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Sweet Raspberry Tea

You only need a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Minty Tea Punch

Forget sugary (and boring) sodas for your next potluck and treat your family and friends to a refreshing homemade punch. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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Iced Melon Moroccan Mint Tea

I grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California

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