Ever tried cold-brew tea? It’s as simple as combining tea leaves and cold water, letting them infuse overnight in the fridge, and voilà - a refreshing, chilled tea perfect for summer. All you need is a large vessel, tea, water, and a little patience. Explore our Cold Brew Tea collection for teas ideal for cold brewing, and follow the method below to make your own at home.

How to make cold brew ice tea:

Makes 1 litre (about 5 serves)

1. Add 6-8 tbsp of loose leaf tea into a large jar or our large tea pot ideal for iced tea. You can experiment with the amount of tea based on desired strength.
2. Top with 1.2L room-temperature water. 
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 8-12 hours. 
4. Strain out the tea leaves, pour over ice, and garnish with fresh or dried fruit.
   
   

Enjoy! For more summer inspiration, check out our Refreshing Tea-Infused Mocktails, including the crowd-favourite Blood Orange Negroni. Or read on for more on Cold Brewing. 

What's the difference between iced tea and cold brew tea?

As the name suggests, the difference between iced tea and cold brewing is the temperature of water used to brew the tea. To make iced tea, you typically start by infusing tea with hot water, then pouring over ice. This method can sometimes lead to a watery, diluted brew that compromises the flavour of the tea. 

What makes cold brewing different is the slow infusion of tea, usually overnight or up to 12 hours in cold water. This process allows more complex flavour notes and aromas to develop, all while preventing the release of bitter-tasting tannins that are extracted towards the end of hot steeping. The result is a balanced, easy-to-drink tea that's smooth, refreshing, and calming. 

What are the benefits of cold brew tea?

• Cold brewed tea contains less caffeine. Cold water is less effective in extracting caffeine, meaning the caffeine level of cold-brew tea can be half or even two-thirds of its hot brew counterparts. Cold brewing is also believed to preserve more antioxidants found in tea leaves. 

• Cold brewing tea reduces the bitterness and astringent flavor that usually comes with hot-brewing, allowing more natural sweetness to shine. We find that most teas don't require any additional sweeteners to be added. 

• The cold brewing method can be used for all kinds of tea. Whether you favour green, black or herbal tea, all varieties can be enjoyed with this simple method. Furthermore, many often find themselves loving a tea when it's cold brewed, when they aren't fond of it hot - or vice versa. Don't be afraid to try something new! 

• There are many fun ways to jazz-up your cold brew tea! Amid summertime, plenty of delicious ingredients can enhance your brew, such as fruit, fresh herbs, slices of citrus, and perhaps even a little honey or maple to sweeten if you desire. 

• Cold-brew tea is a wonderful way to keep more hydrated, especially in these warmer months. The herbal varieties, in particular, can be a fantastic alternative to water. We encourage you to prepare various teas and have them ready and waiting in your fridge.