cold brew tea is a refreshing and easy way to enjoy tea – it even skips the bitter aftertaste. the process is incredibly easy and makes a drink that stays delicious for days.
while a steaming cup of tea will always be great, why not treat yourself to a cold brew iced tea on a scorcher? when the weather heats up, use this simple technique to make a smooth iced tea and enjoy those lazy summer afternoons.
if you’re wondering how to make this cold brew iced tea, stay with us and let our guide provide all the details you need for this.
what is cold brew tea?
cold brew iced tea takes a different approach compared to the classic hot tea-making method. cold steep iced tea is made by steeping tea leaves in room temperature (or cold) water instead of using hot water.
the steeping is done over an extended period (usually 6-12 hours or overnight) to extract the flavours properly instead of steeping them for a shorter period using hot water. this method produces an unusually smooth cold drip tea with an exceptional taste.
it’s so smooth because this process extracts the natural flavours without pulling out the tannins. and it doesn’t matter which type of tea you use – it can be black, green or herbal blends – the process is ridiculously simple. just place tea bags (or tea leaves) in a cold-water jar, let the jar sit in the refrigerator and discard the tea bags (or strain the tea leaves) when ready.
ready to try it at home? our recipe will give you all the details on making it.
how to make cold brew tea: a step-by-step guide
here’s a simple process to make cold drip tea.
Total Servings:-
2
Preparation Time:-
5 Minutes
Cooking Times:-
6-12 hours
Nutritional Value:-
0 calories, 0g fat, 0g carbs, 0g protein
Recipe Category:-
drink
Cuisine:-
global
equipment
- a jar
- a strainer
ingredients
- · 2 tea bags (your preferred ones)
- · 2 cups of cold (or room temperature) water
- · ice (optional)
- · sweetener (optional)
instruction
- fill jar: pour water into a jar that’s large enough to hold the quantity without spilling when you serve.
- tea bag tweak: we recommend that you cut open the tea bags and pour the loose tea into the water. but you can always use the tea bags as they are – still tasty and effortless!
- steep: cover your jar and pop it in the fridge. if you’re making green tea, let it steep for 6 to 9 hours. for black tea, you may need longer – about 10-12 hours. when making it for the first time, give it a taste along the way to find the right taste. you can always tweak the steeping time!
- strain: after the steeping is done, strain out the loose leaves (or remove the tea bags). pour the cold steep iced tea into glasses filled with ice if you like it extra cold.
- customise: you can add sweetener, lemon or some fresh mint to enhance the taste.
best teas for cold brew
cold drip tea is one of the best ways to enjoy the subtle flavours of your favourite tea varieties. while any variety can be used to make cold brew iced tea, some turn out better than others. here are some tea varieties that make better cold drip tea:
- green tea: light, fresh and a little sweet – cold brewing brings out its smooth side.
- oolong tea: this one is a great choice for cold drip tea! it has a mix of floral and creamy flavours that shine when brewed cold.
- herbal teas: caffeine-free options like chamomile, hibiscus, apple & cinnamon tea or super fruit tea – they all turn out colourful, fragrant and outstanding cold steep iced tea.
how long should you steep cold brew tea?
cold steep iced tea takes longer than hot tea, but the result is worth it! simply add your tea bags (or tea leaves) to cold water, cover the container and let it sit in the fridge. wondering for how long? the general guideline is to steep it in cold water for 6 to 12 hours.
the steeping time can always be adjusted to tweak the taste. so, if you like a stronger taste, steep the tea for longer. once the steeping is done, strain the tea and serve it chilled.
common mistakes to avoid when making cold brew tea
cold brew iced tea is usually pretty foolproof, but sometimes things can go sideways.
here are a few of the most common mistakes when making it:
using too much or too little tea: the right balance makes a huge difference in the taste of the tea. generally, 1–1.5 teaspoons of loose tea leaves (or one tea bag) per cup of water is just fine. if the ratio is off, the tea you make will turn out to be too weak or too strong.
steeping for a shorter period: cold brewing takes longer than hot brewing – usually 8 to 12 hours. under-steeping can result in a weak-flavoured tea. so, experiment with the steeping time to find the taste you prefer.
using hot water: the whole point of cold brewing is to steep the tea in cold (or room temperature) water to prevent the extraction of bitter tannins. hot water can extract the bitterness and change the flavour quite a bit.
faqs on cold brew tea
q. can you cold brew tea?
a. you can easily cold brew tea – it’s a very simple process. all you need to do is add the tea bags (or leaves) to cold water and then let it steep in the fridge for 6–12 hours. once that’s done, discard the tea bags (or strain the leaves) and enjoy. it works great with green tea, oolong or herbal teas.
q. is cold brew tea the same as normal tea?
a. cold brew tea and normal hot brew are different from each other. cold drip tea is steeped in cold water for several hours. the simple process results in a smoother flavour with hardly any bitterness, unlike hot-brewed tea. the process showcases the subtle notes in tea varieties like green, oolong and herbal.
q. how to cold brew tea in the fridge?
a. cold brewing tea in the fridge is simple! add one tea bag per cup of cold water, place it in the fridge and let it steep for 6–12 hours. this time depends on the tea type – so adjust accordingly. strain the tea and enjoy a refreshing drink!
q. do you put milk in cold brew tea?
a. you can add milk to cold brew iced tea if you like! it works especially well with bold tea, like black tea varieties. after brewing and straining, pour in your milk for a creamy variety. you can also add a sweetener to enhance the taste.
