Tea Brewing
Cold Brew Tea: The Easiest Method for Beginners
Cold brewing is nearly impossible to get wrong, needs no kettle, and produces a sweeter, smoother cup.
Key takeaways
- Use 1.5x your normal leaf and refrigerate 6-12 hours.
- Cold water barely extracts tannins, so bitterness is almost impossible.
- Green, white and fruity blends shine; heavy black teas are less interesting.
What you need to cold brew
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Cold brew pitcher with removable filter
Brew and strain in one vessel, then keep it in the fridge door.
$18–$30See Current Options on AmazonWide-mouth mason jars with fine strainer
Works just as well if you do not mind straining into a second jar.
$12–$20See Current Options on AmazonThe method
Add 10g of leaf to a one-quart jar of cold filtered water, seal, refrigerate overnight, then strain. That is the whole recipe.
Recommended products
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Cold Brew Iced Tea Pitcher
Two-quart glass pitcher with a fine-mesh infusion core for overnight steeping.
Why we recommend it: Cold brewing needs a long steep and a big basket - this handles both.
Variable-temperature gooseneck kettle
Electric gooseneck kettle with presets from 160°F to boiling and a hold-temp setting.
Why we recommend it: Green and white tea scorch above 180°F — presets take the guesswork out of every steep.
Why it tastes sweeter
Bitter catechins and caffeine need heat to extract quickly. Cold water lifts amino acids and sugars first, so the result is rounder and naturally sweet without any additions.
Also worth having
Wide-basket stainless tea infuser
Fine-mesh basket infuser that fits most mugs and small teapots.
Why we recommend it: Room for leaves to unfurl is the single biggest flavor upgrade for loose-leaf.
Storage and safety
Strain the leaves out after brewing and drink within three days. Always cold brew in the fridge rather than on the counter.
Recommended products to get started
Stainless electric kettle, 1.7 L
Fast-boiling cordless kettle with a concealed element and auto shut-off.
Why we recommend it: The cheapest reliable way to get hot water; rest it a few minutes for delicate leaf.
Double-wall glass tea mug with lid
12 oz insulated borosilicate mug with an infuser basket and lid.
Why we recommend it: Keeps tea hot, stays cool to hold, and you can judge strength by color.
Frequently asked questions
- Is cold brew lower in caffeine?
- Usually somewhat lower than a hot brew of the same leaf, though it depends on the tea and steeping length.
- Can I reuse the leaves?
- Yes, once. The second batch is lighter and works well with a slice of citrus.
Free Tea Brewing Cheat Sheet: Temps, Times & Ratios
Keep the numbers from this guide on one printable page — water temperatures, steep times and leaf-to-water ratios for 10 kinds of tea.
Related reading
Loose-Leaf Tea Water Temperature Guide
The single biggest cause of bitter tea is water that is too hot. Here are the temperatures we brew at, by tea type.
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Steeping Time Guide: How Long to Brew Each Tea
Timing charts for every major tea type, plus how to re-steep leaves so one scoop makes three good cups.
6 min read
Tea-to-Water Ratios That Actually Work
How much leaf per cup, why teaspoons lie, and the cheap scale habit that fixed our inconsistent brews.
5 min readMore in Tea Brewing, browse all tea guides, or use the tea converter to scale this recipe to your teapot.