How to Make Cold Brew Tea
Smooth, refreshing, and naturally sweet this easy homemade Cold Brew Tea is made with just tea and cold water. No heat, no bitterness, just pure delicious flavor.
Equipment
- 1 large glass jar or glass pitcher
- Measuring cups
- Fine mesh strainer or tea infuser
- Lid or plastic wrap
- Serving glasses
Ingredients
Cold Brew Tea (Standard Strength)
- 4 tea bags black, green, herbal, or your choice or 4 teaspoons loose-leaf tea
- 32 oz 4 cups / ~1 liter cold filtered water
Optional Add-ins During Brewing
- 4 –6 fresh mint leaves
- 2 –3 slices fresh ginger
- 1 –2 slices fresh lemon or orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
For Sweetening (Optional, add at serving)
- 2 –4 tablespoons simple syrup honey, or agave nectar adjust to taste
For Serving
- Ice cubes
- Fresh lemon slices or mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Brew the Tea
- Place 4 tea bags (or 4 teaspoons loose-leaf tea in a strainer/infuser) into a clean 32 oz glass jar or pitcher.
- Add any optional flavor boosters now (mint, ginger, citrus, cinnamon).
- Pour 32 oz (4 cups) of cold filtered water over the tea bags.
- Gently stir or swirl to make sure all tea bags are fully submerged.
- Seal the jar or pitcher with a lid or cover tightly with plastic wrap.
- Place in the refrigerator and steep for 8–12 hours (or overnight).
Strain & Store
- Remove tea bags by gently lifting them out do NOT squeeze.
- If using loose-leaf tea, strain through a fine mesh sieve.
- Remove any flavor add-ins (mint, ginger, citrus) and discard.
- Transfer cold brew to a clean sealed container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour cold brew tea over ice.
- Sweeten with simple syrup, honey, or agave to taste (start with 1 tbsp per glass).
- Garnish with a lemon slice or fresh mint sprig.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Don't squeeze tea bags. Squeezing releases bitter tannins just lift and drain gently.
- Water quality matters. Use filtered or spring water for the cleanest, best-tasting cold brew.
- For concentrate: Use 8 tea bags to 32 oz water, then dilute 1:1 with water or milk when serving.
- Steeping time by tea type: Green & White Tea: 6–8 hours | Black Tea: 8–12 hours | Herbal Tea: 8–12 hours.
- Storage: Store in a sealed glass container in the fridge for up to 3–5 days.
- Sweetening: Granulated sugar won't dissolve in cold liquid. Always use simple syrup, honey, or agave.
- Cold Brew Latte: Pour concentrate over ice and top with cold oat milk or almond milk.
- Sparkling Cold Brew: Top your glass with sparkling water instead of plain water for a fizzy twist.