Making cold brew iced tea is a simple and refreshing way to enjoy tea, especially during hot weather. Here’s a basic method to make cold brew iced tea:
Ingredients:
- Loose leaf tea of your choice
- Water (filtered water is easiest, but spring water enhances the flavor)
Equipment:
- Pitcher or jar with a lid (preferably glass or food-safe plastic)
- Tea strainer or fine mesh sieve There are 2 liters to 1-gallon jugs with fine mesh strainer inside (easy to use) usually around $15 to $30 on amazon
- Refrigerator
Instructions:
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Choose Your Tea: Select your favorite tea for steeping! We have many amazing options online. Fruit infused teas make an amazing and refreshing cold brew for those warm sunny days!
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Combine Tea and Water: Place the loose leaf tea into the pitcher or jar. Pour cold or room temperature water over the tea. Use 5 teaspoons per liter or 15 teaspoons per gallon. For stronger flavor don't be shy and add a few more!
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Stir: Gently stir the mixture to ensure the tea is fully submerged in the water.
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Cover and Refrigerate: Cover the pitcher or jar with a lid or plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to steep for at least 6-8 hours for green and white tea, or 12 to 24 hours on black, oolong, herbal. Cold brewing extracts a smoother, less bitter flavor from the tea compared to hot brewing.
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Strain: Once the steeping time is complete, remove the tea or strain out the loose leaf tea using a tea strainer or fine mesh sieve.
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Serve: Pour the cold brew tea over ice cubes in a glass. Add sweeteners like honey, sugar, or simple syrup if desired. You can also add lemon slices, mint leaves, or other garnishes to enhance the flavor.
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Store: Store any leftover cold brew tea in the refrigerator for up to a 7 days with no sugar, or 24 hours with sugar added to the pitcher. Cold brew tea can sometimes last longer than hot-brewed tea without losing its flavor.
Tips:
- Water Quality: Use filtered water (spring water enhances flavor)
- Steeping Time: Adjust steeping time based on your preference. Longer steeping generally results in a stronger flavor.
- Experiment: Try different tea varieties and ratios to find your perfect cold brew iced tea flavor.
- Customization: Feel free to add fruits, herbs, or spices during steeping for a unique twist.
Enjoy your homemade cold brew iced tea as a refreshing beverage any time of day!