Cold Brew Tea
Cold brewing relies on time rather than heat to draw flavor from tea leaves. By steeping leaves in cold, filtered water for several hours, you pull out the clean, nuanced notes of the tea while leaving behind the bitterness that often comes from brewing with boiling water.
Water quality matters as much as the leaves.
Since the tea is never heated, use cold, filtered water to ensure no harsh mineral or chlorine tastes cloud the final drink. A clean glass vessel is essential to prevent any residual soap or oil flavors from transferring to the tea.
- Large glass pitcher or mason jar
- Fine-mesh sieve or nut milk bag
- Lid or plastic wrap
What goes in.
- 4 tbsploose leaf black, green, or herbal tea
- 1 qtcold filtered water
Respect the timeline
Cold brewing is a slow extraction process. Do not rush the steep; the tea needs these hours to fully open and release its character without introducing astringent tannins.
The method.
Combine
Place the loose tea directly into your glass container and pour the cold water over the leaves.
Steep
Cover the container and move it to the refrigerator. Let it sit undisturbed for 6 to 8 hours for green tea, or 8 to 12 hours for black tea.
Strain
Line your sieve with a nut milk bag or a clean coffee filter if using very small, broken-leaf tea. Pour the liquid through the filter into a clean pitcher, ensuring all leaf sediment is removed.
Serve
Pour over fresh ice. If you prefer it sweetened, stir in simple syrup while the tea is still chilled.
Other turns to take.
Herbal Infusion
Use dried hibiscus or mint leaves. These require the longer end of the 12-hour window to reach full color and depth.
Citrus-Infused
Add thin strips of lemon or orange peel to the water during the steeping process for a bright finish.
When it doesn't go to plan.
If the tea tastes thin after 8 hours, it may need more leaves next time rather than more time.
Store the strained tea in an airtight glass bottle in the fridge to keep it fresh for up to three days.
Avoid using flavored teas with synthetic oils, as they often become soapy or muddy during a long cold steep.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use tea bags instead of loose leaf?
Yes, use three to four standard bags per quart. Remove the staples first if the bags have them.
Will the tea turn bitter if I leave it in the fridge too long?
Much less so than hot-brewed tea, but if it sits for more than 24 hours, the flavor profile may shift and become dull.