How To Make Cold Brew Tea?

Looking for something refreshing and delicious this summer? You are at the right place. Summer can be a tough time, especially for tea lovers. A steaming cup may not feel as comforting and refreshing as it does in winter. So, what's the alternative? Cold brew tea is a perfect game-changer for tea lovers. A chilled, flavorful brew that is highly satisfying, offering a refreshing twist on your favorite drink. Unlike traditional hot-brewed tea, cold-brew tea is smooth, naturally sweet, and incredibly refreshing.

Now the question is—how do you make cold brew tea? It's important to understand that cold brewing is different from hot brewing. Instead of quick steeping with hot water, cold brew is a slow infusion process that enhances delicate flavors while reducing bitterness. 

In this blog, we are going to share with you how to make cold brew tea so you can enjoy the best homemade cold tea. From choosing the right tea to perfecting the steeping time, this blog will walk through all the aspects in detail.  

What is Cold Brew Tea?

 Cold-brew tea is a refreshing, slow-steeped tea made by infusing tea leaves or tea bags in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period. The process takes 6 to 12 hours to bring out the tea's natural sweetness and smooth taste. The cold brewing method works well with a variety of teas, including black, green, oolong, white, and herbal blends. Unlike hot brewing, cold brewing reduces bitterness and astringency while keeping the flavors smooth and refreshing. 

How Cold Brew Tea Differs from Iced Tea? 

Many people confuse cold brew tea with iced tea, but they are made differently: 

• Cold Brew Tea - It is steeped slowly in cold water for 6-12 hours, resulting in a naturally mild, sweet and refreshing taste. It does not require hot water at all.
• Iced Tea – It is brewed hot and then cooled with ice, which can sometimes lead to a stronger or more bitter flavor.

What You Need to Make Cold Brew Tea?

• Loose-leaf tea or tea bags (Black, green, oolong, white, or herbal tea) 
• A glass jar, pitcher, cold brew bottle, or bottle with a lid
• Fresh, cold, filtered water
• A fine mesh strainer or infusion teapots (if using loose-leaf tea)
• A spoon for stirring 
• Optional add-ins like lemon slices, fresh mint, honey, or fruit for extra flavor. 

How To Make Cold Brew Tea? 

Now that you know what cold brew tea is and how it differs from iced tea, understanding the process is comparatively easier. The cold brewing process results in a naturally sweet and mellow flavor, which is a delight to taste buds. Have a look at how to make cold brew tea in a simple way: 

Choose Your Tea

You can cold brew any type of tea, but different teas have unique flavors and steeping times. Consider your personal taste and preferences while selecting the tea.

• Black Tea – Rich and bold, with a deep flavor. It takes 8–12 hours.
• Green Tea – Light and grassy, perfect for a mild brew. It takes 6–8 hours.
• Oolong TeaSmooth and floral, balanced flavor. It takes 8–10 hours.
• White Tea – Delicate and sweet, light tea. It takes 6–12 hours.
• Herbal Tea – Naturally caffeine-free, full of fruity or floral notes. It takes 10–14 hours.

While making cold brew tea, some teas stand out when served cold instead of hot. This includes fruit-forward teas and desert-like teas like vanilla, chocolate, and caramel. However, if you want natural flavors, you can go for anyone mentioned in the above list.

The choice between a tea bag and loose tea leaves is also your personal preference. If you have an infuser, strainer, coffee filters, a nut bag, or anything to strain, you can go for loose tea leaves. It is a fact that loose tea leaves release better flavors and aromas than tea bags. So, choose the one that suits your preferences.

Choose A Tea Brewing Vessel

Selecting the right vessel for cold brew tea is essential for convenience, flavor, and ease of making. The easiest and best way to cold brew tea is by using a pitcher with a built-in infuser. This device makes it simple to make cold brew tea by just adding the leaves and water and storing it in the refrigerator. Once the tea is ready, the convenient in-built strainer lets you easily strain and serve it.

If you don't have a tea infuser, worry not! There are several other options, including a glass jar or mason jar, cold brew bottle, tea infuser bottle, French press, large glass, etc. For personal use, a Mason jar, cold brew bottle, or French press are good options. However, if you seek easy serving, Pitchers with an infuser or beverage dispenser are ideal options. Lastly, if you are looking for portability, use a tea infuser bottle.

Measure and Place the Tea

To make a perfect brew, it's crucial to use the right ratio of tea leaves and water. If you use too much water, the tea will taste bland, more like just flavored water. On the other hand, using too many tea leaves can make it too strong instead of smooth and earthy. So, be sure to use the right ratio, as mentioned below.

• 1 teaspoon loose-leaf tea per 6 oz (1 cup) of water. This means if your vessel can hold 48 ounces of water, use eight teaspoons of tea for a perfect blend. If you want a strong brew, you can increase the tea leaves quantity accordingly.
• 1-2 tea bags per 6 oz (1 cup) of water.
• For a larger batch, use 4-6 tablespoons of tea for 32 ounces (4 cups) of water.

Once you have measured the tea leaves and water correctly, place the tea in a jar, pitcher, or cold-brew tea bottle.

Add Cold Water

After placing the tea in a jar or pitcher, pour cold, filtered water over it. Pouring cold water is necessary as the tea will be infused for a longer time. Cold water ensures that the taste does not become bitter due to an extended period of infusing and ensures a smooth flavor. Stir gently to ensure all the tea leaves or bags are fully submerged in the cold water.

Refrigerate Your Tea

Cover the vessel with a lid and place it in the refrigerator overnight or at least for 8 hours. This extended time gives leaves enough time to unfurl, release their flavors and aromas, and offer a desired taste. The simplest thing you can do is place the vessel you are using in the fridge before sleeping and enjoy the tea in the morning. The exact time depends on the type of tea you choose. Have a look at the steeping time for some of the most popular cold brew teas:

Green and White Tea: 6 - 8 Hours 

Oolong Tea: 8 - 10 hours. 

Pu-erh Tea: 10 - 12 hours 

Black Tea: 8 - 12 hours 

Herbal Tea: 10 - 14 hours  

Tip: If you prefer a stronger tea, let it steep longer.

Strain & Serve

In the morning or after the desired steeping time, take out the vessel and strain the tea if using loose tea leaves. However, if you use tea bags, remove and discard them carefully. Pour the tea into a mug or cup, toss in some ice, and enjoy. You can store any leftover tea in the fridge for up to three days after closing the lid properly.

Customize Your Cold Brew Tea (Optional)

If you want a customized flavor, enhance your cold-brew tea with these simple additions: 

• Citrus slices: For a citrusy twist, add lemon, lime, or orange slices.
• Fresh herbs: To add an herbal touch, infuse with fresh mint, basil, lavender, or rosemary.
• Sweeteners: For a sweeter brew, stir in honey, agave, or simple syrup.
• Fruits: For a fruity blend, mix in fresh berries, mango, or peaches.

Japanese Special Method of Making Cold Brew Tea

Besides the typical method of refrigerating tea for 8 hours, there's an alternative—the Koridashi method, a traditional Japanese technique. Instead of steeping tea in water, this method involves sprinkling loose tea leaves over a glass filled with ice. In this method, you place the loose tea leaves in a glass filled with ice. As the ice gradually melts, it slowly extracts the delicate flavors and aromas from the tea leaves. This slow infusion process enhances the tea's subtle notes, resulting in a naturally sweet, smooth, and refreshing brew.

Cold Brew Tea vs. Sun Tea: What's the Difference?

Cold brew tea and sun tea are linked as both use a slow steeping method at a cool temperature instead of boiling water. While both techniques use time instead of heat to extract flavors, they differ in their approach. We can say that sun tea is the inspiration for modern cold brewing. Before refrigerators became common, people made sun tea as an easy way to brew tea without fire or boiling water. Here's how they are different from each other: 

• Cold Brew Tea - Steeps tea in cold water for 6 to 12 hours in the refrigerator, resulting in a smooth and naturally sweet taste.
• Sun Tea - Steeps tea in room temperature water by placing under direct sunlight for 2 to 4 hours.

Why Is Cold Brew Tea a Better Choice?

Although sun tea has been a traditional brewing method, even an inspiration for cold brew tea, cold brew tea is safer and more flavorful. Have a look at why cold brewing is better than sun tea:

Smoother and less bitter flavor: Cold brew tea, as placed in the refrigerator, extracts flavor more gently. The slow, cold extraction results in a smoother and naturally sweet taste. On the other hand, sun tea can sometimes become bitter or astringent if left in the sun for too long.

Cold brew tea is safer: Sun tea sits in warm temperatures under the sun, which is a perfect environment for bacteria growth. This happens especially if the container isn't sanitized properly. Cold brew is stored in the fridge, keeping it at a safe temperature and reducing the risk of bacteria growth.

No need for sunlight: Sun tea cannot be made without sunlight. It completely relies on good weather. On the other hand, cold brew tea can be made anytime, regardless of the season or weather, making it more convenient. Simply add tea to cold water, place it in the refrigerator, and let it steep overnight.

Cold brew retains more antioxidants: The cold brewing process preserves more antioxidants, making cold brew tea healthier and more beneficial. In contrast, sun tea is made in the sun, which can break down antioxidants due to heat.

Why Choose Cold Brew Tea?

Smooth and Sweet Flavor: Unlike hot-brewed tea, which can sometimes be bitter due to high temperatures, cold-brewed tea is naturally smooth. Cold brewing reduces bitterness and brings out the delicate flavors of the tea, ensuring a refreshing and sweet taste.

Less Caffeine: Cold brew tea generally contains less caffeine than hot tea. This is because cold brewing extracts caffeine more slowly than hot water, resulting in a milder, less jittery caffeine boost. Less caffeine makes it the best option for a balanced energy lift.

Easy to Make & Requires No Heat: Cold brew tea is one of the simplest drinks to prepare. Just add some tea leaves to cold water and refrigerate it overnight or for at least 8 hours. No need for boiling water or precise brewing temperatures, making it an effortless option.

Stays Fresh for Days: Unlike hot tea, which loses its freshness in minutes, cold brew tea can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days. It does not lose its flavor and aroma, making it a convenient option for daily hydration.

Tips for the Best Cold Brew Tea

Choose High-Quality Tea: Use fresh, high-quality tea for the best flavor and aroma. It's best to use loose tea leaves since they give a better flavor as they have more room to expand.

Use the Right Tea-to-Water Ratio: Make sure to keep the tea to water ratio correct. 1 teaspoon loose leaf tea or 1 tea bag per 6 oz (1 cup) of water.

Use Cold, Filtered Water: Tap water contains some minerals that can alter the tea's natural taste. Therefore, choose filtered or spring water for cleaner, fresher flavor.

Avoid Over-Steeping: Steep for the right amount of time only because longer steeping doesn't always mean better flavor. Some teas, like green tea, can become too strong if left too long.

Store It Correctly: Store the leftover tea in a Glass jar or pitcher with a lid to prevent it from absorbing fridge odors. For optimal taste, consume it within 3-4 days.

Customize Your Cold Brew: Experiment by blending teas for unique flavors, such as green tea with mint or black tea with lemon.

Conclusion

Cold brew tea is one of the most preferred and trendy teas, especially in the summer season, for a refreshing boost. It offers a smooth and sweet flavor without any bitterness, making it perfect for cooling down and staying hydrated. The best part is it stays fresh for days, meaning you can enjoy it even after 3 days if stored properly. Making cold brew tea is incredibly simple. Just select your favorite tea, add it to a vessel, pour in cold water, and let it steep in the refrigerator for about 8 hours. Once it's ready, strain the tea, customize it with your favorite flavors, and enjoy a smooth, refreshing drink!