Step-by-Step Guide

How to Cold Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Making cold brew tea is simple: combine tea and water, wait, and strain. Here is how to do it properly for the best results.

The Cold Brew Process

1
Measure your tea
Use about 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 250ml (1 cup) of water. You can adjust this to taste, more tea will produce a stronger flavour.
2
Add cold water
Use cold, filtered water for the best results. Tap water works fine, but filtered water will produce a cleaner taste. The water does not need to be ice cold, room temperature is perfect.
3
Steep in the fridge
Cover your container and place it in the refrigerator. The steep time varies by tea type: 4-6 hours for green and white teas, 6-8 hours for oolong, and 8-12 hours for black and herbal teas.
4
Strain and serve
Once steeped, strain out the tea leaves using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Your cold brew is ready to drink. Serve over ice if desired.
5
Store properly
Keep your cold brew in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3-5 days. Do not leave the tea leaves in, or the brew may become bitter over time.

Quick Reference: Steep Times

Green & White Tea

4-6 hours

Oolong Tea

6-8 hours

Black Tea

8-12 hours

Herbal Tea

8-12 hours

Tips for Better Cold Brew

Use quality tea: Cold brewing is forgiving, but starting with good loose leaf tea makes a significant difference. Low-quality tea will still taste like low-quality tea.

Experiment with ratios: The 1-2 teaspoons per cup guideline is a starting point. Some people prefer stronger cold brew, others lighter. Find what works for you.

Try room temperature: While refrigerator cold brewing is most common, you can also steep at room temperature for 2-4 hours for faster results. The flavour will be slightly different.

Add fruit during steeping: For flavoured cold brew, add sliced fruit (citrus, berries, peach) to the tea while steeping. It infuses beautifully.

Make it ahead: Cold brew keeps well for several days. Make a large batch at the weekend and enjoy it all week.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving leaves in too long: While cold brew is forgiving, leaving tea leaves in for days will eventually produce bitter flavours. Strain once steeped.

Using hot water: If you add hot water to speed things up, you are making iced tea, not cold brew. The two taste quite different.

Storing incorrectly: Always keep your finished cold brew refrigerated. At room temperature, it will spoil within a day.

Want precise measurements?

Check our ratio guide for exact quantities.

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