Refreshing hibiscus tea being poured over ice cubes in a clear glass, capturing a vibrant burst of color.

How to Cold Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Cold brewing tea is super simple and brings out smooth, naturally sweet flavors with less bitterness.

1. Add tea to cold water
Use 1–2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 oz (1 cup) of cold, filtered water.

2. Let it steep (great use for a mason jar)
Pop it in the fridge and steep for 6–12 hours, depending on the tea type:

  • Herbal & green teas: 6–8 hours
  • Black & oolong teas: 8–12 hours
  • Tisanes (like Watermelon Cooler, Pina Colada, Purple Papayaberry) are great overnight.
  • You can put the teas in a disposable tea bag, or just let them swim around in the water. If you let them swim, be sure to strain with a cheesecloth. 

3. Strain & enjoy!
Strain the leaves and pour over ice. Add fruit, citrus, or a splash of juice if you’re feeling fancy.

We sell a cold brew Iced Tea Pitcher that includes the filter and fits perfectly in your fridge door!  Perfect for Summer Cold Brews and no straining needed! 

Can you Hot Brew it First?  Short Answer - Yes - but do not steep too long. You get a smoother taste with cold brew alone. 

🧊 Cold Brew vs. Hot Brew & Chill ❄️

Cold Brew Tea

Steeps slowly in cold water for 6–12 hours

Naturally smoother, less bitter

Great for delicate teas (like green or white) and fruity herbal blends

No need to heat anything = super easy & refreshing

🔥 Hot Brew, Then Chill

  1. Brew tea as usual with hot water
  2. Let it steep 3–5 minutes (depending on the tea)
  3. Then chill it in the fridge (or pour over ice for faster cooling)

👉 This method is faster, but can make teas taste more bitter or astringent if over-steeped, especially with black or green teas.

📝 So which should you use?

Want the smoothest flavor? Go cold brew.

In a hurry? Hot brew and chill works just fine — just don’t over-steep!

Author Bio: 

🌿 Melanie May, a passionate herbalist and tea connoisseur, with 500+ hours of Herbalism studies, specializing in functional wellness, folk, ancestral herbalism, and scientific support.  Melanie’s focus is to cut through marketing hype, overpriced options and find affordable, science-backed wellness solutions. 

When not studying herbalism and formulating herbal blends, Melanie works in UI/UX website design and sales. She holds a degree in Applied Psychology, values community and ensures that every article is rooted in transparency and evidence based-research.   CuratedSerenitea.com 🍃✨