Cold-Brewed vs Hot-Brewed Iced Tea: What’s the Difference?

Iced tea sounds simple, but how you brew it changes how it tastes. There are two main methods.

Hot-brewed, then chilled

Steep the tea in hot water, then cool it down fast over ice. You get a bolder, more aromatic cup in a few minutes. It is a good choice for black tea and for recipes that need a strong base, like milk tea.

Cold-brewed

Steep the leaves in cold water in the fridge for 6 to 12 hours. The result is smoother and less astringent, with a gentler sweetness. It is lovely with green tea and delicate fruit infusions.

Which should you pick?

• Short on time: hot-brew, then pour over ice.
• Want a mellow, easy-sipping tea: cold-brew overnight.
• Making milk tea: brew it strong so the milk does not wash it out.

Whichever you choose, use good leaves and filtered water. Everything else follows from there.