How to Cold Brew Loose Leaf Tea (The Easy Overnight Method)
If you can fill a jar with water and wait, you can cold brew loose leaf tea. There’s no kettle, no timer, and almost no way to mess it up — cold brewing is slow and forgiving, which is exactly why it makes such a smooth, low-bitterness glass. Here’s the easy overnight method, the ratio to remember, and a few ways to make it better.
Why cold brew loose leaf tea instead of hot-brewing it?
Hot water pulls everything out of the leaf fast — flavor, but also the tannins that make iced tea taste sharp or bitter once it cools. Cold water works slowly and gently, so it draws out the sweet, fruity, floral notes and leaves most of the bitterness behind. The result is a rounder, naturally sweeter glass that doesn’t need much (or any) added sugar. It also keeps better in the fridge than hot-brewed tea that’s been watered down over ice.
The only ratio you need
Use 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of cold water. That scales cleanly:
- 1 quart (a small pitcher): ~2 tablespoons of tea
- Half gallon: ~¼ cup of tea
- 1 gallon: ~½ cup of tea
Fruit and herbal blends are forgiving, so eyeball it — a little extra leaf just makes a bolder brew you can dilute over ice.
The overnight method, step by step
- Combine. Add your loose leaf tea to a jar or pitcher of cold, filtered water.
- Steep in the fridge. Cover and refrigerate for 6–8 hours, or just leave it overnight. Longer is fine for fruit and herbal teas; they won’t turn bitter.
- Strain. Pour through a fine mesh strainer (or lift out your infuser) to remove the leaf and fruit pieces.
- Serve. Pour over plenty of ice and drink within 3–4 days.
How long should it steep?
It depends on the type of tea:
- Fruit & herbal tisanes: 6–12 hours. Hard to over-steep — great for beginners.
- Green & white tea: 4–6 hours. Pull them sooner to keep them sweet.
- Black tea: 8–12 hours for a fuller body.
Make it better
Drop in a few slices of citrus, a sprig of mint, or some fresh fruit before it steeps. Top the finished glass with sparkling water for a spritz, or build a quick mocktail with lime and a little soda. Because cold brew is naturally smooth, you usually won’t reach for the simple syrup.
An easy one to start with
A bright, caffeine-free fruit blend is the most foolproof place to begin — it’s sweet, it’s hard to over-steep, and it’s good for any time of day. Our caffeine-free mango pineapple iced tea is built specifically for the overnight method: 1.5 tsp per 8 oz, steep overnight, pour over ice. That’s the whole recipe.
