How to Cold Brew Tea: A Simple Guide for Summer Adventures
Cold brew tea is an easy, refreshing way to enjoy loose-leaf tea during the warmer months. In this guide, we’ll walk through the simple steps to make cold brew tea at home—plus a few tips for brewing it on the trail or at camp.
We love summer in Bozeman, MT—long days in the mountains, floating the Jefferson, and soaking up the sunshine. But let’s be honest, when it’s 98 degrees out, a steaming hot cup of tea doesn’t always hit the spot. That’s where cold brew comes in.
Much like coffee, cold brew is an easy and refreshing way to enjoy tea. It smooths out sharp flavors and lets the subtle notes shine. Plus, it’s perfect for making big batches before your next adventure. Simple, delicious, and ready when you are.
So grab your Nalgene and follow along as we break down how to brew the perfect cold tea.
Step 1. Water
Pick your vessel and fill it with filtered water. Glass works best—it won’t hold onto any lingering tea flavors. We like to use dedicated cold brew bottles just for this purpose.
Step 2. Add the leaves
Use a fillable paper filter, like our Finum Tea Bags, or toss the leaves directly into the water and strain them out later. Here are some of our favorite ratios and teas:
Green tea: 1–1.5 tsp per 8 oz water Strawberry Sencha
White tea: 1.5 tsp per 8 oz water Hyalite Haiku
Black tea: 1.5-2 tsp per 8 oz water Meadowlark
Chai: 1.5-2 tsp per 8 oz water Speed Goat Chai
Herbals: 2 tsp per 8 oz water Glacial Mint
If you're using a paper filter, remember some teas, especially rolled teas, need room to expand. For those, skip the filter and strain later.
Step 3. Steep
Pop your tea in the fridge and let time do the rest. We recommend steeping for 8 to 12 hours. It’s perfect as an overnight brew so it's ready to go first thing in the morning.
Step 4. Enjoy
Sip and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Try adding lemon, mint, or fresh herbs, and experiment with different blends and ratios. For such a simple method, there’s tons of room to make it your own.
