Cold-brewing tea is like making overnight oats. The magic happens while you’re asleep. You combine your ingredients the night before and – voilà – in the morning you wake up to something delicious. Minimum effort, maximum results.
Like coffee, cold-brewing tea can lead to a brighter, more complex flavor than hot brewed teas. The traditional method of making iced tea (by brewing hot tea and chilling it down in the fridge) can lead to a drink that tastes like cold, stale tea. Cold brew tea creates a full-bodied flavor that is much crisper and cleaner, meant to cool you down like a breeze. It’s very easy to make and never bitter, so you won’t need any sugar or sweetener!
The principles are simple: cold brew approximately 4 tea bags for every 3 cups of water used, and refrigerate 8-10 hours, or overnight, for best flavor. Give the tea bags a good squeeze before discarding to capture the most flavorful tea.
Read on to discover my five favorite teas for cold-brewing and how to “upgrade” them with infusions of fresh fruit or veggies for the ultimate refreshing flavor experience.
1. Gunpowder Green tea.
Gunpowder Green tea is perfect for cold-brewing due to its strong flavor, with no risk of bitterness. Let this tea sit at room temp for 20 minutes before refrigerating. This step encourages the tightly rolled tea leaves to open up and brew more evenly. If using loose-leaf, you can re-steep the same tea leaves twice for a second batch of tea.
Infuse it with: celery and cucumber. I added 1 small stalk of celery, diced, and 1 small Persian cucumber, peeled and diced, right before transferring my pitcher to the refrigerator. As the tea steeps, the veggies will infuse it, adding another layer of flavor. You can experiment and add the veggies after removing the tea leaves, if you prefer. The subtle smokiness of the green tea pairs beautifully with the clean and crisp notes of celery and cucumber. So refreshing!
2. Aged Earl Grey tea.
The bergamot and citrus in Aged Earl Grey really shine when cold-brewed. Black tea is also perfect to cold brew to make sweet tea, Arnold palmers, or other classic iced tea recipes. Brew an extra tea bag if you like black tea with a full flavor.
Infuse it with: fresh ripe apricots. I added 3 small apricots, sliced, right before transferring my pitcher to the refrigerator. As the tea steeps, the fruit will infuse it. You can experiment and add the apricots after removing the tea leaves/tea bags, if you prefer, or blend them with the cold brewed tea to create a simple but delicious smoothie. The floral bergamot notes pair perfectly with the sweetness of the ripe apricots. Yum!
3. Turmeric Three Roots tea.
If you like an earthy, slightly sweet tea, then Turmeric Three Roots is for you! The licorice root in this blend creates a natural sweetness that is stronger when cold-brewed than hot. This is a flavorful blend that will hold up well with ice. Be sure to squeeze tea bags before removing and discarding to really get the sweet flavor of the licorice root.
Infuse it with: fresh ripe strawberries. I added 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced, right before transferring my pitcher to the refrigerator. As the tea steeps, the fruit will infuse it. You can experiment and add the strawberries after removing the tea bags, if you prefer. The spicy notes of turmeric and ginger combined with the sweetness of strawberries will have you craving for more!
4. Honeybush tea.
The light, naturally sweet flavor of Honeybush tea (a cousin to popular Rooibos tea) is possibly better cold-brewed than it is hot! It brews into a lovely rosy color that will look perfect on your back patio.
Infuse it with: fresh peaches. I added 1 small yellow peach, diced, before refrigerating. Feel free to experiment, as with the other teas above. This great combination, sweet and aromatic, is the perfect summer beverage to keep you happy and hydrated!
5. Ceremonial Matcha.
Surprisingly, matcha green tea can be cold brewed too. It doesn’t take as long as other teas because the tea powder dissolves instantly and it’s better enjoyed immediately. In a mason jar combine 2 cups ice-cold water with one teaspoon Ceremonial Matcha, screw the lid on tightly and shake well (or blend). Serve over ice, if you like. I don’t recommend infusing it with fruit or vegetables (because you don’t want to let it sit too long), but you could use it as the base for a delicious smoothie! Enjoy its savory taste and lingering sweetness and have fun discovering your favorite flavor combination!
What is your favorite tea for cold brewing? Tell us in the comments!
turmeric 3 root tea sounds fabulous
The Honeybrush Tea sounds great!
I have been doing the tradional way of making iced tea, but now I am going to try the cold brew method and use a few of your recipes to boot. Thanks.
All of these sound amazing. It’s always good to find new ways to drink tea
Love all these receipes!
I would like to try the Honeybush tea because the recipe sounds refreshing!
I love cold brewing green teas
My husband likes gunpowder cold brewed. I like Darjeeling or a darker oolong
I have never cold brewed tea before, but now I am inspired to start. I just bought some loose raspberry green tea. I will try cold brewing that.
Awesome!!
Would love to try cold brew tea
I’ve never cold brewed tea before, but I might just try Honeybush cold brewed tea since you say it tastes even better cold brewed. I didn’t think it could taste any better!
Honeybush tea.
I love rooibos so I’m sure the honeybush would be marvelous!
Honeybush sounds like it would make a lovely iced tea. My summers are all iced tea and iced coffee. Yum!
I love matcha!
I LOVE Tea. Green and Herbal are my favorites!
Beautiful!
AGED EARL GREY TEA sounds great.
Never made cold brew tea. Your flavors sound delicious.
Yummy! So excited to try my very own cold brew tea!
WOW. That green tea looks fantastic!
A mix of Earl Grey and Golden Tonic make a refreshing, healthy hot weather beverage. I will try the cold brew method with my next batch.
I love cold brewing tea. Green tea is a favorite!
They all sound wonderful. I love to mix different tea’s when brewing cold.
I love Numi tea! I have it all day, every day! I never heard of the cold brew method, but excited to try!
HONEYBUSH TEA
Honeybush
makes a lovely iced tea for summers!
Moroccan Mint is wonderful cold!
I love cold brew aged earl gray tea as strong as possible! So yummy!
Earl Grey is a favorite, but the tumeric root sounds interesting.
Turmeric tea and the Earl Grey!!! I swoon………..
I love gunpowder green but I think the lemon mate would be awesome cold brewed.
I love cold brewing green tea! I’d love to try fruit infused iced tea.
Never tried cold brew tea. Sounds interesting. Mixing tea flavors is fun.
I’d love to try Jasmine Green tea in a cold brew.
Since peaches are my all time favorite summer fruit, i choose Honey bush tea.
Entered and the all sounds delicious! If I’m a lucky winner, I’d definitely write a blog about it!
We drink cold brew tea everyday at our house. Would love a new experience.
Matcha for sure
I would love to try the Honeybush Tea.
I would love to try thi s.
I never knew you could make cold brew tea! I love tea, it’s an awesome idea! I always make overnight cold oats!!
These look fantastic!!
Earl grey has always been a favorite of mine!
Great recipes! Fingers crossed and I’d love to win and try cold brew tea. Thanks for the opportunity & chance.
Cold brew tea is so new to me. I have to try this. Thanks Anna for sharing these awesome tips and tricks!