Can You Steep Tea in Cold Water?

When most people think of making tea, the first thing that comes to mind is boiling water and a steaming cup. But what if you could make tea without heat at all? Yes — you can steep tea in cold water, and it’s called cold brew tea.

Why is this refreshing alternative to hot tea been gaining popularity?

• Smooth flavor
• Lower caffeine extraction
• Easy preparation.

In this article, we’ll dive into what cold brew tea is. Learn how to cold steep tea at home. Discover the benefits of using cold water instead of hot. And get answers to common questions like how long to brew cold brew tea and can you cold brew green tea.

What Is Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brew tea is exactly what it sounds like — tea that’s brewed using cold or room temperature water instead of hot. Traditional hot brewing rapidly extracts flavor, caffeine, and tannins. Cold brewing, on the other hand, is a slower process that results in a mellower, often sweeter cup of tea.

Think of it like cold brew coffee: you use time instead of heat to bring out the flavors. Tea leaves are steeped in cold water for several hours. This process extracts a different flavor profile than hot water would — often smoother, lighter, and less bitter.

You Can Steep Tea in Cold Water?

Absolutely. Steeping tea in cold water is not only possible. It’s a method many tea lovers prefer, especially in warmer months.

It won’t give you a piping hot mug to wrap your hands around. But you will get a crisp and revitalizing beverage that can be just as flavorful, if not more so.

Not all teas are created equal for cold brewing, but almost any type of tea can be cold steeped.

Benefits of Cold Brewing Tea

Why cold brew instead of hot brew? There are several compelling reasons:

1. Smoother Flavor

Cold brewing extracts fewer tannins, the compounds that give tea its bitterness. This leads to a smoother, sweeter taste — especially beneficial for delicate teas like green or white tea.

2. Lower Caffeine Content

Caffeine is extracted more slowly in cold water. If you’re looking to reduce your caffeine intake but still want to enjoy your favorite teas, cold brewing is a great option.

3. No Heat Required

Cold brewing is perfect for summer or when you’re on the go. You can allow your tea to infuse overnight in the fridge without needing access to a kettle.

4. Hydration-Friendly

Cold brew tea tends to be easier on the stomach and gentler in taste, making it a refreshing way to stay hydrated throughout the day.

How to Cold Steep Tea: Step-by-Step

Learning how to cold steep tea is simple and doesn't require special tools. Here's how to do it:

What You’ll Need:

• Loose leaf tea or tea bag (we recommend loose tea for better flavor)
• Filtered or spring water
• A jar or pitcher with a lid
• A fine mesh strainer (if using loose leaf tea)

Instructions:

1. Choose Your Tea

You can use almost any kind of tea — black, green, oolong, herbal, rooibos, or white. If you're just starting out, try green tea or a fruity herbal blend.

2. Measure the Tea

Use about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of loose tea per 8-ounce cup of water, or one tea bag per cup. You can adjust to taste depending on how strong you like your tea.

3. Add Cold Water

Fill your jar or pitcher with cold or room temperature filtered water. Avoid using distilled water, which can leave the flavor flat.

4. Let It Steep

Place your jar or pitcher in the refrigerator and steep.

So, how long to brew cold brew tea?

• Green tea: 4 to 6 hours
• White tea: 6 to 8 hours
• Black tea: 8 to 12 hours
• Herbal teas: 12 to 14 hours
• Oolong tea: 8 to 10 hours

The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor. It’s a good idea to taste your tea partway through the process to find your preferred brew time.

5. Strain and Serve

Once your tea has brewed, strain out the leaves or remove the tea bags. Pour over ice, and enjoy! You can also add citrus, fresh herbs, or a touch of honey if you like.

Can You Cold Brew Green Tea?

Yes, and it’s one of the best teas for cold brewing. Not only can you, but you should — especially if you’ve ever found green tea too bitter when made with hot water. Cold water reduces the extraction of catechins (the source of that bitterness). The result is a clean, grassy, slightly sweet flavor that’s incredibly refreshing.

Cold brewed green tea also retains more of its antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can degrade at high temperatures. So it’s a win-win: better flavor and better for you.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Herbal teas like hibiscus, peppermint, chamomile, or rooibos are fantastic for cold brewing. Just allow for a longer steeping time — typically 12 to 14 hours.

Tips for the Best Cold Brew Tea

• Use high-quality tea. Since cold brewing produces a gentler infusion, it’s best to use fresh, premium loose leaf tea or pyramid tea bags for full flavor.
• Use filtered water. The cleaner your water, the purer your tea will taste.
• Don’t oversteep. While oversteeping with cold water won’t result in bitterness the way hot water does, it can make the tea taste flat or overly strong.
• Experiment with blends. Try mixing herbs, fruits, or spices to create your own cold brew tea blends.
• Drink within 3–5 days. Store tea in the fridge and enjoy cold brew within a few days for optimal freshness.

Is Cold Brew Tea Different from Iced Tea?

Yes. Many refer to cold brew tea as cold brew iced tea, however there is an important distinction from iced tea.

Cold brew tea is made by steeping loose tea leaves in cold water for an extended period. Iced tea is typically hot-brewed tea that’s then cooled down and served over ice cubes.

If you struggle with impatience (like most everyone), and add the ice to tea without allowing it to cool, the melting ice waters down the tea and weakens the flavor. Cold brewing avoids this by steeping the tea slowly in cold water, preserving its full taste without dilution.

Iced tea tends to be bolder or more astringent due to the hot water extraction, whereas cold brew tea is milder, smoother, and often naturally sweeter.

Is Cold Brew Different from Sun Tea?

While cold brew tea and sun tea both use room temperature or cold water to steep tea slowly over time, they are not the same.

The differences are important, especially when it comes to safety and flavor.

Here’s a breakdown:

☀️ Sun Tea

Method:

• Tea leaves (usually black tea) are placed in a jar of water
• The jar is set in direct sunlight for 3–5 hours

Key Differences:

• Uses the sun’s warmth to steep tea more quickly than cold brew
• The water typically reaches lukewarm temperatures (around 100°F / 38°C), which is not hot enough to kill bacteria
• Risk of bacterial growth (especially Alcaligenes viscolactis, a bacteria that can cloud tea) due to warm, stagnant conditions
• Often made with basic tea bags and sweetened afterward

Flavor:

• Can taste a bit “flat” or bitter due to mild heat and uneven steeping
• May develop off-flavors if steeped too long in warm temperatures

❄️ Cold Brew Tea

Method:

• Tea (loose or bagged) is added to cold or room temperature filtered water
• Steeped in the refrigerator for 4 to 12+ hours, depending on tea type

Key Differences:

• No heat used — just time and cold water
• Lower risk of bacteria, since it’s kept cold from the start
• Produces a cleaner, smoother, and naturally sweeter flavor
• Gentler on the stomach, with reduced bitterness and lower caffeine

Flavor:

• Mellow, delicate, and often more nuanced than sun tea or hot tea
• Especially ideal for green, white, or floral herbal teas

Storage:

• Lasts 3–5 days in the refrigerator
• Keeps its fresh, crisp flavor better than sun tea

Cold Brew Tea FAQ

Does cold brew tea have less caffeine?

Yes, since caffeine is extracted more efficiently in hot water. Cold brewing can result in 50% or less of the caffeine found in a hot brew of the same tea.

Can you reuse tea leaves for cold brew?

You can, but the second brew will be noticeably weaker. If reusing, steep a bit longer.

Can you add sweeteners or flavors?

Yes! Add lemon slices, berries, cucumber, fresh mint, or a touch of honey or agave. Just be sure to refrigerate and consume within a few days.

Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Make Tea in Cold Water!

Cold brewing tea is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to enjoy your favorite blends.

So next time you’re craving tea but don’t want the heat, try the cool, crisp satisfaction of cold brew. All you need is some quality tea, cold water, and a little patience — your tastebuds will thank you.

Short on time? Try our Cold Brew Tea Pouches. Simply place a cold brew tea bag in a pitcher of water and chill overnight. Available in 15 delicious blends!