How to Make Cold Brew Tea

Cold brew tea is made by steeping tea in cold water for several hours, producing a smooth, refreshing flavour with less bitterness than hot tea.

It’s one of the simplest ways to enjoy tea, and with the right leaves and a little patience, you’ll have a drink that’s naturally cooling and full of character.

At EDGE Tea & Coffee, we’ve spent more than 40 years roasting, blending, and brewing. That experience has shown us that cold brewing brings out the gentle sweetness and delicate aromas of loose leaf tea in a way hot water often can’t.

In this guide, we’ll share exactly how to make cold brew tea at home, along with expert tips from the EDGE team, flavour ideas, and the small details that make all the difference.

Skip to recipe

What Is Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brew tea is simply tea that has been steeped in cold water instead of hot water.

By letting the leaves infuse slowly in the fridge, you create a drink with a lighter body, smooth texture, and natural sweetness. Because the extraction is gradual, fewer tannins are released, so the result is less bitter than a traditional hot brew.

It’s important not to confuse cold brew tea with iced tea. Iced tea is usually made by brewing tea hot, then cooling it quickly with ice.

That method often produces a stronger flavour with more caffeine, while cold brew tea is softer, gentler, and refreshing from the first sip. If you’d like to try it yourself, we’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to make iced tea.

The science behind it is straightforward: cooler water extracts flavour more slowly, which highlights delicate aromatics and floral notes without pulling out too much bitterness. This is why green and white teas, in particular, taste so clean and crisp when cold-brewed.

Cold brewing also has a bit of cultural history. In the United States, “sun tea” became popular in the 20th century, where jars of tea would be left outside to steep in the warmth of the sun.

Today’s fridge-brewed method is safer, more consistent, and gives you that same easy-drinking experience (without relying on the weather).

Cold Brew Tea Recipe

Cold brewing tea is as easy as filling a jug and letting time do the work. Follow these steps for a smooth, refreshing brew every time:

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Measure your tea: Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea for every 150 ml of cold water (or roughly 1 tablespoon per 500 ml jug).

2. Add cold water: Filtered water gives the cleanest taste.

3. Steep in the fridge: Cover and leave your jug in the fridge for 6–12 hours, depending on the tea type.

4. Strain: Remove the leaves with a fine strainer, tea bottle, or French press.

5. Serve chilled: Pour over ice, garnish with fresh fruit or herbs if you fancy, and enjoy.

Choosing Your Tea

Cold brewing brings out different qualities depending on the leaves:

• Green tea: Crisp, grassy, and refreshing.

• Black tea: Bold, smooth, with natural sweetness.

• Oolong tea: Complex and slightly floral.

• Herbal tea: Naturally caffeine-free, vibrant, and versatile.

Explore our full loose-leaf tea collection to find the perfect match for your brew.

Steeping Times by Tea Type

Use this guide to get the best flavour balance:

Storing Your Cold Brew Tea

Once strained, your cold brew tea will stay fresh in the fridge for 3–5 days. Some sources suggest only 24 hours, but in our experience, properly stored cold brew retains its flavour beautifully for several days. Keep it in a sealed jug or bottle to lock in freshness.

Expert tip from Stevie, Head of Coffee at EDGE:

“Cold brewing is all about patience. Give the leaves time to infuse slowly, and you’ll discover flavours you’d never notice in a hot brew: a natural sweetness, subtle florals, and a silky finish that makes it worth the wait!”

Cold Brew Tea vs. Cold Infusion Tea

Cold brew tea and cold infusion tea often get mixed up, but they’re not quite the same. Think of them as cousins: both chilled, both refreshing, but brewed in different ways.

Cold brew tea is the classic method. Loose-leaf tea takes a slow soak in cold water until the flavour develops. Because the extraction is gentle, you get all the natural character of the tea with less bitterness and a smoother sip.

Cold infusion tea skips the tea leaves entirely. Instead, you’ll find fruit pieces, herbs, or flowers in handy cold water tea bags. Drop them into a jug of water, wait a little, and you’ll have a caffeine-free drink that’s colourful, vibrant, and often naturally sweet.

Both have their place. Reach for cold brew tea when you want the depth and nuance of real tea leaves, or go for an infusion if you fancy something light and fruity with zero caffeine.

Fancy experimenting? Have a browse through our Fruit Tea collection.

Cold Brew Tea Equipment & Accessories

You don’t need a fancy kit to make cold brew tea, but the right accessory can make the process smoother and a little more fun. Here are a few popular options:

• Cold brew tea bottle: Designed with a built-in filter, these bottles let you brew, strain, and serve in one. They’re tidy, practical, and fridge-friendly.

• French press: A kitchen classic. Add loose-leaf tea and cold water, let it steep, then press down the plunger to strain. It’s quick, reliable, and doubles up for coffee.

• Mason jar or jug: The no-fuss method. Simply add tea and water, cover, and strain later with a sieve or fine mesh. Affordable and effective.

At EDGE, we stock a range of tools to make brewing easier, from the compact Folding Tea Infuser to the clever IngenuiTEA Loose Leaf Teapot.

Cold Tea Ideas & Flavour Variations

One of the joys of cold brew tea is how easy it is to customise. A simple jug of tea becomes something café-worthy with just a little fruit, spice, or sweetness. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Green tea + fresh mint: Crisp, cooling, and perfect for summer afternoons.

• Black tea + sliced peach: Juicy sweetness that turns an everyday brew into a treat.

• Oolong + orange peel: Zesty and aromatic, with layers of flavour.

• Herbal blends + berries: Colourful, caffeine-free, and naturally vibrant.

• Seasonal twists: Try cinnamon and apple in autumn, or strawberries and basil in spring.

When it comes to sweetness, you don’t need to reach for refined sugar. A drizzle of honey, a splash of agave, or even a spoonful of maple syrup adds depth without overpowering the tea itself.

For a lighter option, you can infuse with naturally sweet fruit like pineapple or mango instead.

Cold brew is wonderfully versatile, so think of it as a canvas. Experiment with your favourite combinations, and you’ll quickly find a signature flavour that feels like your own.

Benefits of Cold Brew Tea

In addition to being refreshing, cold brew tea comes with a handful of extra perks that make it worth keeping a jug in your fridge.

Gentler on Taste and Body
Because the leaves infuse slowly, cold brew tea contains fewer tannins. This means less bitterness and a naturally smooth flavour. The slower extraction may also draw out less caffeine, making it a softer choice for anyone who wants to enjoy tea later in the day.

Packed With Goodness
Research suggests that cold brewing can preserve beneficial compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, which are linked to heart health and anti-inflammatory effects (Verywell Health). In other words, cold brew tea delivers hydration along with antioxidants in every glass.

Practical and Planet-friendly
Cold brew tea is versatile: it works with almost any type of leaf or herbal blend, stores well in the fridge, and can be dressed up with fruit or herbs.

Plus, it’s an energy-efficient method, no kettle required! At EDGE, sustainability is part of our DNA, so a brewing method that saves on electricity and fits with our planet-first values feels right at home.

Refreshing by Design
Best of all, it’s naturally cooling. A chilled glass of cold brew tea feels just as good after a workout as it does on a sunny afternoon in the garden!

FAQs About Cold Brew Tea

How long does cold brew tea last?

Once strained, cold brew tea will stay fresh in the fridge for 3–5 days. Keep it in a sealed bottle or jug to preserve the flavour. After that, it may start to lose its brightness.

Is cold brew tea healthier than hot tea?

Both methods have benefits, but cold brewing can preserve certain antioxidants and flavonoids that contribute to heart health and anti-inflammatory effects. It’s also naturally lower in bitterness and often a little gentler in caffeine, which some people find easier on the stomach.

Can you use any tea type for cold brew?

Yes. Green, black, oolong, white, and herbal teas all work well, though the flavour profile will vary. Green tea tends to be crisp and grassy, black tea turns smooth and malty, and herbal blends create colourful, caffeine-free infusions.

Does cold brew tea have caffeine?

It depends on the leaves. Black, green, and oolong teas contain caffeine, though the slower extraction in cold water often results in a gentler lift than hot brewing. Herbal blends, such as chamomile or fruit infusions, are naturally caffeine-free.

Keep It Cool, Keep It Fresh

Cold brew tea is simple to make, endlessly versatile, and wonderfully refreshing. By letting the leaves infuse slowly in cold water, you get a smoother flavour, less bitterness, and a drink that feels effortlessly cooling any time of year.

At EDGE Tea & Coffee, we believe tea should be both delicious and easy to enjoy. That’s why we encourage you to try cold brewing with your favourite blends, experiment with fruit and herb twists, and discover how a little patience delivers big flavour.

Ready to get started? Explore our tea collections and find the leaves that will make your next cold brew truly shine.

Cool, calm, and brew-tiful.