Go Back

Cold Brew Iced Tea

Cold brew iced tea is a smooth, naturally sweet tea made by steeping tea leaves in cold water overnight. This method extracts maximum flavor while keeping harsh tannins at bay, resulting in a refreshing drink that's never bitter.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: International
Calories: 2
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 4 to 5 teaspoons loose leaf tea or 4 to 5 tea bags
  • 4 cups cold filtered water
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey or simple syrup optional, for sweetness
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice optional, for brightness
  • A small handful fresh mint or other herbs optional, for infusion
  • Ice cubes as needed for serving

Equipment

  • Large glass jar (quart-sized or larger)
  • Fine-mesh strainer or infuser basket
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Spoon for stirring
  • Coffee filters or cheesecloth (optional, for double-straining)
  • Tall glasses for serving

Method
 

  1. Pick a tea you genuinely enjoy drinking. Measure out 4 to 5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or grab 4 to 5 tea bags, depending on how strong you like your brew and what type of tea you're using.
  2. Fill your glass jar with 4 cups of cold filtered water, leaving a little headroom at the top.
  3. Drop your tea leaves or tea bags directly into the cold water, stirring gently to make sure everything is submerged and making contact with the water.
  4. Toss in your lemon juice, a small handful of fresh mint, or any other herbs you want to infuse, stirring to combine everything evenly.
  5. Cover your jar with a lid or plastic wrap to keep dust and odors out. Pop the jar into your refrigerator where it will sit undisturbed for at least 8 hours, though overnight (12 hours) is ideal for maximum flavor extraction.
  6. After steeping, pour the cold brew through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar or pitcher, catching all the tea leaves and herbs.
  7. Add honey or simple syrup to your strained tea, stirring until it dissolves completely, or skip this step if you prefer unsweetened tea.
  8. Pour your cold brew iced tea into tall glasses filled with fresh ice cubes, adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or a sprig of mint if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Make a double batch and store extra in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Use high-quality tea leaves for best results. Store in glass bottles with tight-fitting lids. Cold brew can be frozen in ice cube trays for up to 3 months.