How to Make Cold Brew Tea

Picture this: It’s a hot afternoon, you’re scrolling endlessly on your phone, and your water bottle looks boring as ever. Enter cold brew tea, the unsung hero of summer hydration, the Instagram-worthy glass of calm, and quite possibly the smoothest way to drink tea.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make cold brew tea at home or if you’ve confused it with iced tea (don’t worry, we’ll clear that up), this is your guide. By the end, you’ll know the perfect cold brew tea recipe, which teas to pick, and why good leaves make all the difference.

First Things First: What is Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brew tea is exactly what it sounds like: tea brewed in cold (or room temperature) water over several hours. Unlike hot tea, which extracts flavors quickly with heat, cold brew takes its sweet time, around 6–12 hours to gently pull out the flavors.

The result? A naturally sweet, smooth, and less bitter tea that feels like silk on your tongue. Think of it as tea’s chilled-out cousin who never gets stressed, even in rush-hour traffic.

Cold Brew Tea vs. Iced Tea: The Face-off

Now, let’s bust a common myth. Cold brew tea ≠ iced tea.

• Iced tea is hot tea that’s cooled down with ice. Quick, convenient, but sometimes bitter or astringent because heat extracts tannins fast.
• Cold brew tea, on the other hand, never meets hot water. It’s a slow steep, which means a softer flavor, less bitterness, and higher natural sweetness.
  
  

So, if iced tea is your last-minute party invite, cold brew is the slow-brewed playlist you curate for road trips.

How to Make Cold Brew Tea at Home

Here’s the part you’ve been waiting for: the cold brew tea recipe. It’s simpler than it sounds and requires just three things: tea, water, and patience.

What you need:

• 1 litre of cold or room-temperature filtered water
• 8–10 grams (around 3 tablespoons) of loose-leaf tea
• A glass pitcher or jar
• A fridge (sorry, we can’t help with that one)

Steps:

1. Add your loose-leaf tea to the pitcher. (Kapemai’s Darjeeling Green or Assam Black are excellent choices, more on that soon.)
2. Pour in the water and give it a gentle stir.
3. Cover the pitcher and pop it in the fridge.
4. Wait 6–12 hours. Yes, this is the “patience” step.
   Strain the leaves, pour into a glass, and sip your new obsession.

Pro tip 💡: Start with 8 hours for green tea and oolong, 10–12 hours for black tea. Taste as you go, you’re in control.

The Best Tea for Cold Brew

Not all teas are created equal, especially when it comes to cold brew. The type of tea you choose changes the flavor, aroma, and even the vibe of your glass.

• Green Tea: Light, grassy, and refreshing. Great if you want something crisp. (Try Kapemai’s Darjeeling Green Tea).
• Oolong Tea: Floral, complex, and layered. Perfect for when you want a “wow” moment.
• Black Tea: Bold, malty, and satisfying. Assam Black makes for a rich, energizing cold brew.
• Chai/CTC Tea: Yes, you can cold brew chai! Expect a spiced kick, especially if you infuse with cinnamon or cardamom.

The beauty of cold brew is experimentation. Mix and match until you discover your personal “best tea for cold brew”.

Why Loose Leaf Tea is Your Cold Brew BFF

Sure, you could toss a dusty tea bag into water and call it a day. But here’s the thing: cold brewing magnifies the quality of your tea. Since it extracts flavors slowly, the subtle notes shine through (or don’t, if your leaves are low-quality).

That’s why loose-leaf cold brew tea is the way to go. Whole leaves = fresher, more nuanced flavors = a cold brew that actually tastes like a treat, not just flavored water.

At Kapemai, our teas are single-origin, small-batch, and straight from Indian estates. So when you cold brew them, you’re not just drinking tea, you’re sipping on a story of mountains, mist, and soil.

Fun Cold Brew Twists to Try

Once you’ve mastered the basics, take your cold brew tea recipe up a notch:

• Citrus Pop: Add orange or lemon slices to green tea.
• Berry Bliss: Toss in frozen berries for a natural infusion.
• Spiced Chill: Add a stick of cinnamon or a slice of ginger for warmth in the cool.
• Sparkling Version: Mix half cold brew with sparkling water for a tea spritzer.

Your fridge just became your personal tea lab.

The Health Benefits Bonus

Here’s the cherry on top (or should we say the leaf in the glass?): cold brew tea is naturally lower in caffeine than hot tea, making it gentler for evening sipping. It’s also packed with antioxidants, hydrates you better than coffee, and has zero calories unless you add sweeteners.

So yes, you can proudly call it your wellness ritual without the eye-rolls.

Cold Brew Tea: The Takeaway

Cold brew tea is more than just a summer trend; it’s a refreshing ritual that helps you slow down and savor your tea in its smoothest form. Whether you’re team green, oolong, or black, the secret to a stellar cold brew is simple: use good leaves.

And if you’re looking for the best loose-leaf tea for cold brew, Kapemai’s collection is ready to take your fridge game up a notch. Start with our Darjeeling Black Tea or Darjeeling Green for a brew that’s fresh, flavourful, and fuss-free.

Ready to Brew?

Skip the dusty bags and grab teas that actually deserve a spot in your fridge. Check out Kapemai’s premium loose-leaf teas, and let your first sip of cold brew remind you why we say:

Drink good tea. Simple as that.

👉 Explore Kapemai Teas