· By Jen Biro
Cold Brew Tea Benefits & Concoctions
If you're looking to cut down on your caffeine intake, develop fuller flavors within your tea and increase the overall health benefits you receive from enjoying your favorite cup... look no further than the beautiful simplicity found in cold brewing. Cold brewing tea is just about the easiest thing in the world to do. Pop some loose leaf tea into a container of cold filtered water, let sit for up to 12 hours and strain. Viola! The result is a tea that has fewer tannins, producing a flavor that is much less astringent than hot brewed tea with a smoother, sweeter profile and reduced caffeine content. An added bonus, there has been sufficient scientific evidence that Vitamins C, D, and B are more active in cold brewing which could boost your immune system along with strengthening bones and increasing your metabolism.
Cold Brew Tea Instructions:
The golden rule for amount of tea needed to brew, 5 tsp to every liter +/- for each tea. Taste is subjective, so have fun trying out different measurements for each type of tea and see the subtle changes in flavor.
Steeping Times for Different Tea Varieties:
Black Tea 8-12 hours
Green Tea 6- 8 hours
White Tea 6-8 hours
Oolong Tea 8-10 hours
Pu Ehr Tea 10-12 hours
Herbal Tea 12-14 hours
Use filtered water. Cold brew tea will last in the fridge for up to five days.
Cold Brew Tea Concoctions:
Hibiscus Warmer Tea with Rum
- 2.5 oz dark rum of choice
- 4 oz cold brew hibiscus warmer tea
- splash of soda water
- nutmeg
- pineapple slice for garnish
Preparation Instructions:
Steep your hibiscus warmer tea for roughly 12 hours. If you go a little longer, no worries, you can always make adjustments to your cold brew if it's too strong by adding more water. Strain tea leaves and set aside remaining liquid in fridge.
Fill highball glass with ice, add rum, tea, and soda water. Give it a little shake. Grate a bit of nutmeg on top and garnish with a slice of pineapple. Enjoy!
Decaf Ginger Peach Tea with Bourbon
- 3 oz Bourbon of choice
- 4.5 oz cold brew Decaf Ginger Peach Tea
- Squirt of lime juice
- Swirl of lime zest to garnish
Preparation Instructions:
Steep your decaf ginger peach tea for roughly 10 hours. Again, if you go a little longer, no worries, you can always add more to even out the flavor. Strain tea leaves and set aside remaining liquid in fridge.
Fill Tom Collins glass with ice, add bourbon, tea, and lime juice. Give it a little shake. Garnish with swirl of lime zest. Enjoy!