Cold Brew Iced Tea
Super simple, refreshing cold brew iced tea without the tannic, bitter flavors found in regular tea! Plus, it stays fresh tasting for days.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on October 22, 2024
My mom made sun tea when I was little. She would fill up the same clear plastic pitcher with Lipton tea bags and water and set it out in the sun to steep. I’d go out there and marvel at the process. As an experiment, I filled cans with water and macaroni noodles and set them next to her sun tea to “cook.” Never worked, no matter how long I left them out there.
Fast forward a few years, and my mom let up on her soda-once-a-week rule. I started guzzling Dr. Pepper like she guzzled unsweetened iced tea, and I squealed every time I grabbed the wrong cup from the cup holder. Yuck!
Nowadays, I’ve given up the soda in favor of good clean water. I’ve always wanted to understand my mom’s iced tea thing, and I’ve finally found a way to really, truly enjoy it—cold brew!
The cold brew method reminds me of sun tea, since you’re just steeping tea in water for hours, but cold brew takes place in the refrigerator instead of the back porch.
Heat brings out the tannic, bitter flavors in tea. In the absence of heat, you’re left with perfectly refreshing, super smooth tea for slow summer sipping. It isn’t bitter in the slightest. The same is true for coffee, which is why I love cold brew coffee so much.
How to Make Cold Brew Iced Tea
The method itself is incredibly simple. Just combine loose-leaf tea or whole tea bags and water in a pitcher and let the tea infuse the water for 6 to 12 hours in the refrigerator (see instructions below for specifics). Strain, and you have cold-brew tea that will taste great for days!
Bon Appetit suggested that they have best results with loose-leaf tea, so I used loose-leaf here, but I’ve since been making lazy cold-brew tea by soaking whole bags in water, which tastes almost as good and is much easier to make.
Another option? Steep your loose-leaf tea in a clean French press—just press down the filter to remove those loose tea leaves and pour!
Watch How to Make Cold Brew Ice Tea
Cold Brew Iced Tea
Super simple, refreshing cold brew iced tea without the tannic, bitter flavors found in regular tea! Plus, it stays fresh tasting for days.
Ingredients
- 1 tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose-leaf tea) per 6 to 8 ounces of water, depending on desired strength
- Optional add-ins: sliced lemon, sweetener of choice, fresh mint leaves, sliced cucumber
Instructions
- For the best flavor, if you’re using tea bags, snip off the corners and dump the loose tea into your pitcher. Or, just put the whole bags in the pitcher for tea that is *almost* as awesome and way easier to make. Pour in room temperature or cold water.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate. Steep white or green tea for 6 to 8 hours; steep black or oolong tea for 8 to 12 hours.
- Once your time is up, strain the loose-leaf tea out of the pitcher by pouring the tea through a fine mesh sieve (for best results, cover the sieve with a cheesecloth or paint-straining bag used exclusively for food products) or just pull out the tea bags. Discard the tea or tea bags.
- Serve tea as is or with any add-ins of your choice. Tea will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for 3 to 5 days.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit May 2015.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Late to the party…
I LOVE this. Green tea bags in a pitcher. I steep for up to 24 hours and it’s STRONG. I dilute with a little water when I serve it up. Cold brewing is the bomb and if you’re using quality green tea, it’s actually a little sweet as is… no added carbs needed!
Thank you for sharing, Chris!
I have had a life similar to your path. I was weaned of mother’s milk to tea with milk and sugar, for much of my young life tea was the thing. Then POP became a thing and oy vey, got to be too much. Started by going to diet POP, then Diet Caffiene Free, and then back to water and tea. I recently started cold brewing myself, just the way you do here, and it’s so perfect. My favorite is green tea with a couple of tablespoons of lemonade. Just perfect!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with the rest of the world, may they all join us soon!!!
Some of the top restaurants put a pinch or two of baking soda in their tea canisters to balance the tannins. You can experiment with a tiny amount of baking soda if a batch didn’t come out as expected or is too strong. Less likely with cold brew, as tannins don’t come out much (or at all). Reducing the acidic levels in any tea may have health benefits. Just a thought….
Hello just found your post on cold brew coffee, that stuff expensive at the store saw link to cold brew tea. I drink hot tea daily, have tried making the green cold tea for summer always has a bitter taste. Now I understand why lol. I can’t wait to give this method a try.
I didn’t like the bitterness of tea, either. In fact, I feel the same way about coffee, which is why I put a bunch of cream (real cream) and sweetener in it to make it potable. Then I discovered green tea; it’s not bitter. I think you’re wrong about all tea being bitter when it’s hot-brewed. I make a one-gallon jar of iced tea by steeping 5 green tea bags in HOT water. I let it set until the water is back to room temperature -and beyond, sometimes for half of a day. Then I lift the bags out of the water and squeeze the daylights out of them to get all the moisture and a lot of the microscopic particles of the tea to flow back into the pan. I put the brewed concentration of tea in the jar with one level teaspoon of pure stevia powder and fill the jar the rest of the way up to the brim with water. I do this just about every day; it’s pretty much all I drink. Works for me.
googled “Cold Brew Ice Tea” came across yours made it this weekend and it is now the only way that I will make ice tea. I used (3) Elderberry/blackberry tea, (3) passion tea, and (3) green tea bags. No sugar needed great taste…thank you
Could you do this with rooibos?
Hey Ash, I don’t see why not!
Tried this with Rooibos yesterday – so good I immediately stuck another batch in the fridge. Thanks Kate, for everything you do here! It’s amazing to know that your recipes are always such solid winners. Off to try the coffee cold brew next!
You’re welcome, Yaara! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve been brewing ice tea in the fridge for years. My problem now is, I have a box of hibiscus tea and I’d like to make hibiscus ice tea. Is this ok or should I just do hot tea with the hibiscus tea bags?
Hi! Try my pink drink recipe. Let me know what you think!
I’m years late to the cold brew tea party! Thanks to Kate, I’m at last brewing my own blend of Earl Grey and Irish Breakfast for the best iced tea ever. Tea bags (no loose tea on hand) sans strings, and voila. Easy as instant and much, much better. Not bitter, better!
Hi Kate
Loved your iced tea recipe! It’s finally summer here in Dublin, Ireland and we wanted a healthier alternative to other sugary cold drinks and your tea hit the spot! Enjoy your summer and thanks for a great recipe! Tania x
Thanks – I’ve made cold-brew coffee for years, but it never occurred to me to do this for iced tea until I was sitting here drinking cold-brew coffee at 8:00AM on a morning…
This was a big surprise! It was the best tea I ever brewed myself. I definitely noticed the lack of bitterness. It was so good I didn’t add any sweetener. So easy, sometimes simpler is better! Thank you for the great recipe.
Can’t tell you how happy I am to have found this! I’ve repeatedly tried to become a tea drinker bc of the health benefits… But it never sticks because I Just. Don’t. Like. Tea!!! Lol. I’m a coffee girl.
Anyways, now that I’m pregnant I figured I should give it another go for, again, the health benefits and to help stay hydrated. So I bought my tea and then googled how to make ice tea and when I saw your site in the results I went right too it cuz you’re one of my favorites and wow, you were right this method takes away ALL the yucky bitterness!? It still smells like tea (eeeww) but then actually drinking it doesn’t taste the way I expect at all, it’s so smooth and mild.
I made it in my favorite cold brew coffee jar and took your advice about cutting open the bags and pouring it into the filter loose. Super easy.
I’m definitely feeling positive about being able to stay with tea for longer now! Who knows maybe I’ll even come to crave it . Thanks Kate!
Never knew it could be so easy. Thank you.
Aman
I scanned comments for a while, but there’s a lot. I did the math for a gallon of tea, which is 128 ounces and that was 16 tea bags for a gallon. That seems like way to much. Is that correct? I use to use a cold brew tea maker and we would use like 5 bags. I like my tea medium strength, I guess. I have never made tea any other way and I’m trying to get off Diet Coke. Thanks for your help
The way that I’ve been doing it, is that i would take like 4-5 green tea bags (lipton) and fill a plastic bowl up with water, then put the tea bags in, and microwave the tea for about 4 minutes.
after that, I’d pour the tea into a plastic pitcher and then put it in the refrigerator and let it chill for about two hours, once it’s cold enough, i then add sugar and lemon juice, and drink it. :)
it tastes pretty good, yes it’s sweet, but i would highly recommend using only brown sugar as it’s more healthier, where as white sugar isn’t healthy.
i’m all about going the healthier route, but what if i don’t have anymore white sugar or brown sugar? what else could i use to sweeten my iced tea? lemon juice and honey?
Edris, Not sure if you still need this answered but hibiscus ice tea can be made using the cold brew method. I make my Hibiscus Tea iced both by using the hot tea method and the cold brew method. Both are delicious!
Oh my goodness. That’s an amazing recipe. Looks absolutely delicious!! Such pretty photos. Let’s have more.
What size should the loose tea leaves be? I have them medium sized, but I was wondering if it would be better if they were shredded or something like that.
Hi! Standard size of what a tea bag is. Sorry, I don’t have a specific size you are asking for.
Thank you, Kate! A tea bag sized leaf is actually a nice parameter. I shall get mine refined for better infusions!
Thanks for all the great tips and recipes.
You’re welcome!
Thanks to this article, I’m addicted to cold brew tea. I combine strawberry kiwi herbal tea or Georgia peach tea from The Georgia Tea Company with fine black or green tea leaves, or just make herbal cold infusion tea. It’s delicious and refreshing with no bitterness, as stated. Thank you for this recipe, Kate. :-)
I adore cold-brew tea and drink it all year long! 2 quarts of water, 5 decaf black tea bags plus 5 mixed herbal tea bags. I really enjoy experimenting with different herbal tea combos!
Does anyone have an idea how much concentrated pure 100% stevia powder i should put in 96fl oz of the tea?
You suggestions for brewing tea without boiling water. However, I have a six quart glass container for cold brewing tea and loose leaf tea just doesn’t cut it. For regular ice tea I use a brand that advertises to be created for ice tea. I fill my container with six quarts of fresh cold water, tie six tea bags together tying the label tags together. Then I suspend these in the container, screw on the lid and walk away for 12 hours. Perfect tea every time. No loose leaves or debris needing to be strained. And so easy to pull out the tea bags all at once. It’s mindlessly easy. Of course, I make six quarts at a time.
Thank you for this. I will try this for sure with tea bags so excited
Can the cold brew tea be made in a plastic Tupperware pitcher? Will it taste good, that’s the only large pitchers have.
Hi, I prefer to use glass. It may work, but I can’t guarantee you it won’t have a different taste since plastic impact taste sometimes. Let me know if you try it!
I wish I had known about this method sooner! I have a fruity green tea that I knew would taste great iced, but no matter how hard I tried to regulate the temperature while brewing, it always resulted in incredibly bitter tea.
I tried the cold brew method today, and wow! So refreshing, and for once, NOT bitter. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I’m going to revisit this method again and again. <3
Hooray! I’m glad you loved it, Danielle.
Made this tea and sweetened it with honey, added lemon and had a very refreshing drink. Making a second batch now.
I put some Allegro Earl Grey tea bags into a 1-quart sports bottle last night with room temperature water and refrigerated it. I used 8 tea bags though as I like bolder-flavored tea and it tastes pretty good sweetened with 1/2 cup of splenda (I also like my tea REALLY sweet LOL)
I’m glad it worked for you, Joseph! Thank you for sharing.
I have bought a stainless steel filter on Amazon that is used for cold brew coffee. It fits inside a 1/2 gallon mason jar and works wonderfully for loose leaf tea. I thought it might help those of us that use the looseleaf have an easier cleanup! You just take the strainer out in the morning.
How many tea bags should you use to 6 to 8 cups of water?
Hi Angela, there are 8 ounces in a cup which is one recipe, so you can scale that way.
You said it would keep well for 3-5 days, that’s a big range. Would I just be sacrificing flavor if I keep it for 5 days or does it become a food safety issue? The longer the better for me so I can make it ahead of time and not have to worry about it, but I definitely don’t want to be drinking tea that isn’t safe.
Hi Brittney, It can vary based on how it’s sealed, temperature, etc. Use your best judgemetn.
In the 1970s our favorite Chinese restaurant had the best Oolong tea. The owner confided to me that they cold-brewed their tea and heated it when needed. So I have been doing this ever since then with all my teas.
Thank you for this! I mix raspberry & black tea bags to make unsweetened tea. So much better than the boiled, cloudy tea I’d been making. Will be trying other flavors.
Does the tea need sugar?
I don’t find it does. I hope you try it, Sara!
I bought a glass iced tea pitcher with a lid that strains the loose tea – never get any loose tea in my glass. I have experimented with different flavors from different companies & different sweeteners – such as pureed fruit, honey, lemon as well as whole fruit. I enjoyed your tips – thank you. I want something different to drink other than water or soda – can’t stand coffee but love the smell! Go figure
For making cold brew tea, I purchased a mason jar brewer infuser from County Line Kitchen online. It consists of 1 half-gallon mason jar, one stainless steel filter and 2 types lids (one flip top and one stainless steel lid with seal). It works extremely well with loose leaf tea, it is dishwasher safe and jar and lids are reusable. I still use my grandmother’s mason jars that she purchased around 1915. Her lids were the small ones. Lids for the County Line Kitchen set are regular wide mouth size. I keep a jar of tea going in one and a pot of cold brew coffee in another. Very nice, easy to clean, trouble free.
Tried this with strawberry and raspberry black tea , and I have to say that its the best iced tea i have ever tasted. cant wait to try it with other flavors as well <3
Hooray! I appreciate you sharing, Kehara.
From one dog lover to another, always giving my dog the healthiest food, I too learned to cold brew all my herbs and even some spices in the refrigerator. I think the secret too is to use distilled water. Distilled water is known as “empty water” and thus very pulling, extractive.
My brews can keep for a week or more depending, and I give them a good shake up once a day.
Mostly I cold brew nutrient dense dried alfalfa leaf, and dried unsalted seaweeds, but also hibiscus, cloves, anise, licorice root (sweet taste), cinnamon bark, vanilla bean, dried berries, and of course teas.
Never thought I’d be looking for a recipe for iced tea, but here we are! This apparently is how my mom used to make it! Comes out perfect everytime. Have made it with berry, citrus, apple and regular tea, as well as combinations. Thank you!! Will be serving this all summer.
I’m glad you came across this recipe, Hava! I appreciate your review.
If I know I won’t use up all my ice tea within a few days, am I able to freeze it?
I’m not sure as I haven’t tired it, sorry!
Has anyone made it by the gallon or half gallon? Would proportions be on same scale…8 teabags for 64 oz?
OKAY, WHO KNEW THE BEST ICED TEA = ALSO THE EASIEST?! Cold brewing has changed my life. Thank you!
I’m glad you loved it, Stefanie! I appreciate your review.
Thanks for the information and ‘how to’. I started making cold brewed tea following your instructions and indeed, it’s not bitter. I switched over from sun brewed tea because of warnings that the bacterial count can get quite high. You didn’t mention caffeine count. I also was hoping for reduced caffeine.
You’re welcome, Ray! Thank you for your review.
I bring cold water just to the boil in teapot. Pour teapot over 8 tea bags and steep for 8 minute covered in gallon container. Pour into 20 oz cup filled with ice. Extra cup to drink. Fill pitcher back to top. Cool in refrigerator. Outstanding!!! Sometimes I fill two 20oz mugs with ice and tea before filling the pitcher with water again.
there is a problem in your recipe–at least I see it that way—when you doble the amount it states that for onetouse 1 tea bag per 6 – 8 oz, of water but when you choose 2X on this site –it statess 2 tea bags per 6 -8 oz. of water. ??? Should it not be 2 tea bags for 12 – 16 oz of water.
Hi K, I’m sorry it is having issues. You will want to increase it – or double all the ingredients.
How much simple syrup do you suggest?
I’ve been doing this for a few years now. Thanks for sharing it with us! I have to admit I started out with the ‘cold brew ice tea/coffee maker’ but needed a few pitchers of tea for a gettogether and just put the tea bags in a large pitcher — worked just as well. Didn’t need the fancy pot after all! Now I’m really lazy….I just put a tea bag in a large travel cup with cold water when I get up in the morning (or a bottle of water if I’m going out in the afternoon) and by noon I’m ready for a nice glass of ice tea :)
Made this with the same amount of tea I use brewing it the hot way and it was so weak I couldn’t drink it. Might as well be drinking tea flavored water. If you’re doing tea the cold brew way use twice as much tea or even 3 times the tea you use for the hot way.
I’m sorry to hear that. What type of tea did you use?
Ok, here’s a trick I learned from my mixologist/brewer friend. Burnish a lemon peel with an open flame to pronounce the flavor of the oils. I prefer adding the peel(minus the pith) because I want the flavor of the lemon without the acidity. I have a big batch brewing in a gallon jug in my fridge at the moment with lots of fresh mint and some honey. I like mine mildly sweet.
I love the story! I often think about my parents when I’m cooking as well.
Curiosity has me asking what would happen if I added yeast to the mix…