How to Cold Brew Tea at Home
Smooth, sweet and almost impossible to mess up. How to cold brew tea at home, with ratios, steep times and the best teas to try.
Cold brew tea might be the laziest delicious thing you can make, and we mean that as a compliment. Put leaves in cold water, put the jar in the fridge and walk away. A few hours later you've got a smooth, naturally sweet tea with hardly any bitterness. Here's how to cold brew tea at home, one easy step at a time.
Why cold brew tea?
Cold water takes its time. It pulls out fewer of the bitter compounds that hot water grabs right away, so cold brew tastes rounder and sweeter. It's very hard to over-steep, and it keeps in the fridge for a few days. It's also a great way to enjoy delicate teas that sulk and turn bitter when you brew them hot.
What you need
- Loose leaf tea
- Cold, filtered water
- A jar or pitcher with a lid, or a cold brew bottle with a built-in filter like the Hario Cold Brew Tea Pot
- A strainer, if your jar doesn't have one
How to cold brew tea: step by step
- Measure. Use about 1 tablespoon (roughly 4 to 6 grams) of loose leaf per 16 ounces of cold water. Add a little more for light, fluffy leaves.
- Combine. Drop the leaves into your jar or bottle and pour in the cold, filtered water.
- Chill. Cover it and pop it in the fridge. Steep times are below.
- Taste. Pour a small splash at the minimum time. If you want it stronger, give it longer.
- Strain. Take the leaves out once it tastes right and keep the tea in the fridge.
Cold brew steep times by tea type
| Tea | Fridge time | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 4 to 8 hours | Sweet, grassy, very smooth |
| White | 6 to 10 hours | Soft, honeyed, floral |
| Oolong | 6 to 12 hours | Fragrant, fruity or creamy |
| Black | 8 to 12 hours | Brisk, malty, mellow |
| Herbal and hibiscus | 8 to 12 hours | Bright, fruity, caffeine-free |
The best teas for cold brew
- Floral and fruity oolongs such as Oolong Goji Berry Tea or Jasmine Oolong are stunning cold.
- Japanese and Chinese greens go silky and sweet. Try Beach House Green.
- Hibiscus and berry blends turn into a jewel-colored, caffeine-free iced tea that looks far fancier than the effort involved. Try Berry Petal Infusion or Northwest Wild.
- White tea blends such as Willapa White Lavender are light and refreshing.
New to oolong? Our guide to oolong tea explains why it can taste so different from one cup to the next.
Cold brew vs iced tea
Classic iced tea is brewed hot, often double strength, then poured over ice. It's quicker, but it can go cloudy or bitter. Cold brew takes longer and stays clear, smooth and sweet. Both deserve a spot in the fridge on a warm afternoon.
Tips for great cold brew tea
- Use good, filtered water. It's most of what you're drinking, after all.
- Keep it in the fridge and finish it within 2 to 3 days.
- Sweeten with simple syrup, since sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold liquid.
- Toss in citrus peel, fresh mint or sliced fruit for an easy twist.
Quick answers
How to make cold brew tea stronger?
Use a little more leaf, up to about 1½ tablespoons per 16 ounces of water, or let it sit toward the longer end of the fridge time for that tea type.
Can you cold brew tea bags?
Yes. Use two to three bags per 16 ounces of water and steep in the fridge for 6 to 12 hours.
Can cold brew tea be left out on the counter?
We recommend brewing and storing it in the fridge for freshness and food safety.
How long does cold brew tea last?
Once it's strained, enjoy it within two to three days for the best flavor.
Can I re-steep cold brew leaves?
Often, yes. Oolong and green tea leaves can usually give you a second, lighter batch.
