Cold Brew Tea Recipe and Benefits

The cold brew tea method is the secret to perfectly refreshing, super smooth summer tea. Enjoy my step-by-step recipe on how to cold brew tea at home successfully.

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES

• tea of your choice, (1 sachet or tsp. loose leaf ), per 6-8 ounces of water
• room temperature or cold water
• a pitcher or jar
• optional: flavoring (ie. fresh herbs, fruit, spices, etc.)

METHOD:

STEP ONE: Place 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or 2 tea bags into the pitcher or jar.

I have found lighter tea such as an oolong, to be my favorite.

STEP TWO: Pour 2 cups of room temperature or cold filtered water into the pitcher. If you would like to make more cold brew tea simply double the amount of tea leaves and water.

*OPTIONAL: Add slices of fruit, fresh herbs, spices, etc. to cold steep with the tea if you want add more and different flavors. You can also try to add sweetener here if you’d like, but cold steep tea is naturally sweeter, so it may not be needed and the water is not hot to dissolve.

STEP THREE: Cover the pitcher and place in the refrigerator for 12 hours. Steep white or green tea for 6 to 8 hours; steep black or oolong tea for 8 to 12 hours. My trick is to make the night before and place in the fridge overnight.

STEP FOUR: Taste test your cold steep tea to see if it’s to your liking. If you think it was steeping for too long and is now too strong, simply mix in more cold water. When it is perfect, pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the loose leaf tea. However, if you placed your tea leaves in a tea infuser, or used tea bags, then simply remove and discard

BENEFITS:

1. Simply Foolproof

All you need to do is add a few spoons of tea and cold water to a bottle and leave it in the fridge overnight. 

2. Better for Your Health

Steeping tea in cold water reduces catechins and tannins, and is lower in caffeine. The tea is higher in vitamin C. The cold brew process eliminates the bitter taste and leaves your tea sweeter.

3. Stay Hydrated 

Drinking chilled tea throughout the day is a thirst quenching way to drink more water.

4. Less Sugar 

You’ll get a delicious, antioxidant rich drink that’s virtually calorie free and still taste sweet.