How to Cold Brew Tea

Smooth. Refreshing. Effortless.

Cold brewing tea is one of the easiest ways to enjoy loose leaf tea—whether you're sipping at home, filling your favorite tumbler, or making a big pitcher of iced tea for the fridge. The cold brew method uses cold water or room temperature water to slowly steep tea leaves, bringing out a naturally sweeter, smoother flavor without the bitter taste you sometimes get from hot brewed tea.

It’s a delicious way to explore different flavors of green tea, oolong tea, white tea, black tea, herbal blends, or rooibos—without the heat.

Why Make Cold Brew Iced Tea?

• Yields a smooth, refreshing drink

• No risk of bitter or astringent flavors
  

• Easy to customize your personal taste—brew it stronger or lighter, sweeten it, or add a splash of lemon juice, honey, or fresh mint leaves

• Perfect for hot summer days, but honestly, we drink it year-round!

How to Cold Brew Tea (Mason Jar Method)

Making cold brew tea is as easy as it gets:

1. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of loose leaf tea (or use your favorite tea bags) to a 32 oz wide-mouth mason jar.

2. Fill with fresh cold water.

3. Screw on the Craft Cold Brew Filter—our award-winning stainless steel filter lid designed for wide-mouth mason jars.

4. Place the jar in the refrigerator and steep for at least 2 hours (or overnight for a stronger batch).

5. Pour straight from the jar—the built-in filter keeps tea leaves out of your cup!

➡️ Pro tip: Toss in some ice cubes, slices of fruits, or a splash of lemonade for extra flavor.

No Craft Cold Brew Filter? No problem! You can also use our Tuffy Steeper or Tea Filter Basket to strain your loose tea leaves after steeping.

Cold Brew Tea On-the-Go

Want to take your cold brew iced tea with you? Our tea tumblers come with built-in infusers, so you can cold brew while you’re out and about. Just:

1. Add loose tea leaves or tea bags to the infuser.

2. Fill with cold water.

3. Let it steep while you do your thing.

4. Sip and enjoy—whether it’s your morning commute or an afternoon walk in the sun.

➡️ Shop Tea Tumblers

How Long Should You Steep Cold Brew Tea?

The beauty of cold brewing is that it’s super forgiving. Here’s a quick guide for making cold brew tea at home:

• Steep 2 to 8 hours in the fridge (longer for bolder teas like black or oolong, shorter for green teas and white teas).

• Herbal blends and rooibos can safely steep overnight without worry.

• If using room temperature water, steep for 30–60 minutes, then move to the fridge.

Remove the tea leaves when your tea reaches the desired strength. You can store the finished brew, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days.

Is Cold Brew Tea Safe?

Yep! As long as you keep it chilled. Some quick safety tips for steeping tea the cold brew way:

• Always use cold water and keep your tea in the refrigerator while brewing.

• Don’t leave tea leaves sitting in water at room temp for more than an hour before moving to the fridge.

• Use clean jars, filters, or tumblers every time you make a new batch.

• Cold brewed tea should smell fresh and pleasant—if it smells funky, toss it and start fresh.

Hot Brew vs. Cold Brew

While hot tea and hot brewed methods pull out bold flavors quickly, cold brew tea takes its sweet time—pulling fewer tannins and caffeine, which means you avoid that bitter taste. The result? A silky-smooth, super refreshing drink that’s perfect over ice or blended into fun mocktails with milk, lemon juice, or fruits.

You can also mix cold brew with lemonade, freeze it into ice cubes, or sweeten it with a little honey to match your personal taste.

Beyond Tea: Cold Brew Coffee and More

The Craft Cold Brew Filter isn't just for cold brew tea—it works for cold brew coffee, too. Whether you're brewing tea, coffee, or experimenting with infused waters, mocktails, or craft cocktails, this handy lid transforms your mason jar into your go-to container for making cold brew tea or any chilled beverage.

🏆 Winner of Good Housekeeping’s Coffee & Tea Awards 2023.

➡️ Check out the Craft Cold Brew Filter

Tea Blends We Love for Cold Brewing

• Bolder Breakfast: Smooth and rich black tea blend

• Organic Sencha: Crisp green tea that shines as a cold brew

• Turmeric Tonic: Golden, caffeine-free herbal with roots and herbs

• Cinnamon Spice: Cozy flavors, great for a summer-meets-fall vibe

Skip the sun tea worries and get that same slow, gentle steeping with the cold brew method—no heat, no fuss, just delicious, smooth flavor in every cup.