How to Make Iced Tea from Loose Leaf: Hot Brew & Cold Brew Methods
How to Make Iced Tea from Loose Leaf: Hot Brew & Cold Brew Methods
Loose leaf iced tea is a revelation if you've only ever had store-bought or tea bag iced tea. The flavor is fuller, brighter, and actually tastes like the tea it came from. Here are both methods — hot brew (faster) and cold brew (smoother) — with ratios that actually work.
Method 1: Hot Brew, Then Chill (30 Minutes Total)
The quickest method. Brew a concentrated hot tea, then pour over ice to chill instantly.
What You Need
- Loose leaf tea (black, green, herbal, or fruit tisane)
- Tea infuser, strainer, or teapot
- Ice
- Glass pitcher
Instructions
- Measure your tea: use double the normal amount (2 tsp per 8oz instead of 1 tsp) because you'll be diluting with ice.
- Brew with hot water at the appropriate temperature for your tea type: 200–212°F for black tea and herbals; 160–180°F for green tea.
- Steep for the normal time — don't extend the steep to compensate for concentration, as this adds bitterness.
- Strain directly over a glass or pitcher full of ice. The ice chills the tea instantly and dilutes it back to normal strength.
- Taste and adjust. Add simple syrup, honey, or lemon to preference.
Best Teas for Hot Brew Iced Tea
- Black tea (Assam, Ceylon, Darjeeling) — classic iced tea flavor, bold and brisk
- Hibiscus tisane — bright red, tart, gorgeous
- Fruit tisanes — berry, peach, tropical blends
- Green tea — light and refreshing; use lower temp water (175°F) to avoid bitterness
Method 2: Cold Brew Iced Tea (8–12 Hours, Hands-Off)
Cold brewing tea in the refrigerator overnight produces a smoother, naturally sweeter cup with less bitterness and less caffeine extraction. It takes patience but almost no effort.
Instructions
- Add loose leaf tea to a pitcher or jar: 1 tbsp per 8oz of cold water (more tea than hot brewing because cold water extracts more slowly).
- Fill with cold filtered water and stir briefly.
- Cover and refrigerate for 8–12 hours (overnight works perfectly).
- Strain into a clean pitcher. Keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- Serve over ice. Cold brew tea is typically smooth enough that no sweetener is needed.
Best Teas for Cold Brew Iced Tea
- Green tea — especially light Japanese greens like sencha or gyokuro; cold brewing eliminates bitterness entirely
- White tea — delicate, sweet, floral
- Oolong — complex and aromatic cold brewed
- Chamomile — honey-sweet and soothing
- Hibiscus — deeply red, tart, and refreshing
Making Sweet Tea
For Southern-style sweet tea, add simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved) while the tea is still warm so it dissolves evenly. Sweeten to taste. Classic sweet tea uses a strong black tea base — Assam or a bold Ceylon works well.
Iced Tea by the Case
For restaurants, offices, or households that go through a lot of iced tea, our Tea by the Case offers the same loose leaf quality in larger quantities at a better value. One 3oz bag makes approximately one gallon of iced tea.