Green Tea Cold Brew

Refreshing Cold Brewed Green Tea

A clear, gentle green tea with subtle sweetness and refreshing citrus notes. Cold brew is less bitter than hot brewed tea and makes for a light, invigorating drink on warm days.

Nutrition · per serving

25kcal

0.3gProtein

6gCarbs

0gFat

0.1gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

5 items

Tea Base

loose green tea or 2 tea bags6 g (or 2 bags)

cold still water700 ml

Sweetening (optional)

simple syrup (1:1, dissolved in warm water) or liquid sweetener15 g (about 1 tbsp)

For Serving (optional)

ice cubes300 g (for 2 glasses)

lemon slices2 slices

Tips

•For a more intense umami flavor, use high-quality Sencha or Gyokuro; less robust varieties will yield a lighter cold brew.
•To make simple syrup quickly: mix 1 tbsp sugar with 1 tbsp hot water, dissolve, and let cool; alternatively, use liquid sweetener.
•If you have more time, let it steep cold for 3–8 hours for a fuller flavor — 20–30 minutes is a quick option.

Steps

1
Rinse the cold brew vessel (jug or glass bottle) briefly with cold water; if using loose tea, prepare a fine mesh strainer or tea filter.
2
Add the green tea to the vessel.
6 g (or 2 bags) loose green tea or 2 tea bags
3
Pour cold still water over the tea, stirring gently to allow the leaves to settle.
700 ml cold still water
4
Cover the jug and let it steep at room temperature for 20 minutes — aim for 20–30 minutes for a mild, less bitter flavor; longer steeping will yield a more intense taste.
5
If you used loose tea: strain the infusion through a fine mesh strainer into a second vessel; simply remove the tea bags if using tea bags.
6 g (or 2 bags) loose green tea or 2 tea bags
6
Stir in the simple syrup, if desired; taste first and add an additional teaspoon if needed.
15 g (about 1 tbsp) simple syrup (1:1, dissolved in warm water) or liquid sweetener
7
Fill two glasses with ice cubes, pour in the cold brew, and garnish each with a lemon slice.
300 g (for 2 glasses) ice cubes2 slices lemon slices
8
Stir briefly and serve immediately; enjoy cold. Storage: in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, stir briefly before serving again.

Origin & History

Cold brewing is a modern adaptation of traditional tea preparation, popularized by cafes for a milder, less bitter tea. In Japan, cold teas are traditionally enjoyed in the summer; today's cold brew technique combines this tradition with Western drinking habits.

Japanese green tea cold drink refreshing dairy-free

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Steps

Rinse the cold brew vessel (jug or glass bottle) briefly with cold water; if using loose tea, prepare a fine mesh strainer or tea filter.

Add the green tea to the vessel.

6 g (or 2 bags) loose green tea or 2 tea bags

Pour cold still water over the tea, stirring gently to allow the leaves to settle.

700 ml cold still water

Cover the jug and let it steep at room temperature for 20 minutes — aim for 20–30 minutes for a mild, less bitter flavor; longer steeping will yield a more intense taste.

If you used loose tea: strain the infusion through a fine mesh strainer into a second vessel; simply remove the tea bags if using tea bags.

6 g (or 2 bags) loose green tea or 2 tea bags

Stir in the simple syrup, if desired; taste first and add an additional teaspoon if needed.

15 g (about 1 tbsp) simple syrup (1:1, dissolved in warm water) or liquid sweetener

Fill two glasses with ice cubes, pour in the cold brew, and garnish each with a lemon slice.

300 g (for 2 glasses) ice cubes2 slices lemon slices

Stir briefly and serve immediately; enjoy cold. Storage: in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, stir briefly before serving again.