How to Cold Brew Tea and Make It Taste Great
Updated: Sep. 03, 2020Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.
For a sweeter, smoother steep, learn how to cold brew tea like a pro.
During the dog days of summer, no beverage is as refreshing as a glass of iced tea. While sun tea remains a popular brewing method for tea, cold brew tea is having a moment, too. Keep reading to learn how this trendy brewing method works, how it’s different from traditional iced tea and its health benefits.
The Best Cold Brew Tea Bags
Not all teas are ideal for the cold brew method. It’s true that any tea can be cold brewed; however, certain blends are better suited for cold brewing because of how they react to the cooler brewing temperatures. For example, some more robust black teas are not able to fully develop their flavors when cold brewed. For this reason, we recommend white, green and oolong teas for the best cold brew tea results.
- Best Green Tea: Nothing says summer like peaches! That’s why we love this flavorful green tea with peach by Bigelow that’s loaded with natural antioxidants.
- Best White Tea: The quality of your cold brew tea really comes down to the quality of your tea. Which is why we love this all-natural loose white tea by Teamonk.
- Best Oolong Tea: This aromatic, mild oolong tea by Imozai is perfect for cold brewing and strikes a great balance for those who want a tea that falls somewhere between black and green tea in terms of strength.
- Best Black Tea: If you’re a dedicated black tea drinker, this is our go-to variety for the cold brew method. The Earl Grey tea by Harry & Sons has subtle floral and lemon notes.
How to Cold Brew Tea
Yield: 1 Serving (8 Ounces)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cold, filtered water
- 1 standard tea bag (or 1-1/2 teaspoons of loose tea)
- 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.
Instructions
Step 1: Add the Tea
Get started by placing your tea bag(s) in the water. For best results, use clean filtered water for the purest tasting tea. If desired, you can also use loose tea leaves also.
Editor’s Tip: If using loose tea, you can avoid straining the tea once it’s brewed by using either these fillable tea bags or invest in a simple cold brew tea or coffee maker. We especially love this cold brew pitcher by Takeya.
Step 2: Let It Steep
Place the tea in your refrigerator and let it steep for several hours (or overnight). Anywhere between 12 and 24 hours will work. The longer you let it steep, the stronger (darker) your tea will become.
Step 3: Remove Tea Bags
Remove the tea bag from the water. Squeeze the tea bags gently into the brewed tea before discarding. This will ensure you get every last drop of the tea’s flavor in your finished beverage.
Step 4: Dress it Up
Add any desired mix-ins, like simple syrup, citrus slices, fresh fruit, etc. Then, serve over ice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Brew Tea
What Is Different About Cold Brew Tea?
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.
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?
Yes! 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. You may end up using less sugar or sweetener in cold brew tea.
Is it Possible to Infuse Cold Brew Tea with Fruit?
Feel free to get creative with your tea. Mix a few different blends of tea together or add some fresh fruit and herbs to your glass or pitcher before brewing. Simply discard any fruit you add to tea when you remove the tea bags. Here are some fruit-infused combinations for white, green, black and oolong cold brew tea.
- Peach + lime + rosemary
- Honey + blueberry + oranges + basil
- Strawberries + blackberries + mint
- Pineapple + cucumber + mint
Next, learn how to make sweet tea like a Southerner.
Pineapple Iced Tea
We have a large family, so we go through beverages quickly at our house. This thirst-quenching tea is simple to mix together and has a sparkling citrus flavor we all enjoy. —K. Kitell, Lenexa, Kansas
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
Cherry Limeade Sweet Tea
Sweet tea and cherry limeade are two of my favorite summer libations, so I decided to combine them—the results are wonderful. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
Hibiscus Iced Tea
This calorie and caffeine-free tea has a delightful rosy color.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin
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
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
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
Iced Honeydew Mint Tea
I grow mint in the garden on my balcony. For this tea, I blend two of my favorite beverages—Moroccan mint tea and honeydew agua fresca. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
Lemony Pineapple Iced Tea
I like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, Hawaii
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
Sweet Tea Concentrate
Sweet iced tea is a southern classic, and this is a fabulous recipe for tea lovers or for a party. The concentrate will make 20 servings. —Natalie Bremson, Plantation, Florida
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
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
Raspberry Iced Tea
One sip and you'll likely agree that this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted. —Chris Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
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
Iced Raspberry Tea
Frozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia
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
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
Sweet Raspberry Tea
You need only 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
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
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
Orange Blossom Mint Refresher
I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This tea has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness. The orange blossom water gives it a distinctive flavor. People often request the recipe after just one sip. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Lemon Lime Almond Tea
I got this delicious tea recipe from a friend and make it about twice a week. It's such a refreshing drink. —Tammy Griffin, Frankston, Texas
Sweet Citrus Iced Tea
My family has been making iced tea this way ever since I was a child. When I recently prepared it for a church function, everyone liked it so much that they asked for the recipe. — Diane C Kirkpatrick, Terre Hill, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Tea
This colorful tea with its sweet spicy flavor is a great winter warmer-upper. The aroma is sure to bring guests to the table! —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, Iowa Looking for other iced tea options? Check out how to make Thai tea.
