Let me tell you a story. It begins not in a fancy tea lounge or an artisanal café in some hipster corner of Delhi or Brooklyn, but in my very own kitchen, on a blazing summer afternoon, armed with nothing but a glass jar, some loose tea leaves, and a mild case of boredom.
Summer had started throwing tantrums again, hot air, grumpy moods, and electricity playing hide and seek like a kid who’s had too many jalebis. I needed a hug in a glass. But not a hot one. I needed something cool, calm, and collected. And that’s when cold brew tea walked into my life like Shah Rukh Khan in a slow-mo intro shot. 🌬️💚
☕ What is Cold Brew Tea, Anyway?
Before I get ahead of myself, let’s address the chai elephant in the room.
Cold brew tea is not your regular chai cooled down. No boiling. No milk. No sugar bubbling away. Cold brew is like the quiet cousin of your morning chai, mature, low-key, and effortlessly charming.
It’s made by steeping tea leaves in cold water for hours. That’s it. No drama. And yet, it gives you a beautifully mellow, low-caffeine, and refreshing tea that doesn’t punch your taste buds, it woos them.
🌼 Why I Fell in Love With It
It’s idiot-proof – I say this with love, because I once burnt water. Yes, burnt.
Zero bitterness – Since there’s no heat, tannins don’t go wild. The taste? Smooth as Kishore Kumar’s voice.
Endlessly customizable – Add fruit, herbs, spices, honey, or nothing at all.
Looks gorgeous – I’m convinced it’s the Instagram filter of beverages. Even if you're drinking it from an old pickle jar (guilty!).
🛍️ What You’ll Need
I promise you don’t need a barista’s toolkit. Your kitchen is enough.
A glass jar or bottle (even an old jam jar will do)
Loose tea or tea bags (green, black, white, oolong, or herbal)
Filtered water (cold or room temp)
Fridge space and patience. 🕰️
🍃 Choosing Your Tea Leaves
Ah, this part is like choosing your playlist on a road trip. Go with your vibe:
Green tea – Light and grassy. Perfect with lemon slices.
Black tea – Stronger and deeper. Try it with orange peel.
White tea – Delicate and floral. Fancy but subtle, like a saree with hidden embroidery.
Herbal teas – Chamomile, hibiscus, mint… they taste like calm. And good decisions.
🧊 My Cold Brew Ritual: The Foolproof Method
Here’s how I make it, no jargon, no fluff.
🌙 The Overnight Magic
Scoop the tea
Use 1 teaspoon of loose tea or 1 tea bag per 250ml of water.
Want it stronger? Add more tea, not time.
Pour cold water
Room temperature works too. No need to overthink this.
Give it a swirl or a gentle shake.
Refrigerate for 6–12 hours
I usually steep it overnight. Like dreams, it needs time to bloom.
Strain and sip
Use a strainer if you’ve used loose leaves.
Add ice, fruit slices, herbs… or just drink it plain. It’s already poetry in liquid form.
🍋 My Go-To Flavour Combos (Trust Me On These)
Green tea + cucumber + mint – Spa in a sip.
Hibiscus + orange peel + clove – Like Holi in a bottle.
Oolong + apple slices + cinnamon – Cosy, even cold.
Darjeeling black + lemon + honey – A Bengal summer in a glass.
🤷 Cold Brew FAQs – For the Curious Cat in You
Q: Can I use tap water?
A: If it’s drinkable, yes. But filtered water just tastes better.
Q: What if I forget it in the fridge for too long?
A: It’ll be stronger, not scary. Just dilute it a bit with water or add ice.
Q: Can I re-steep the tea?
A: You can, but it’ll be weaker. Still nice for a second round.
Q: Do I need fancy bottles?
A: Nope. My first cold brew sat in a reused Nescafé jar. Still tasted divine.
🌞 Serving It Up – Desi Style
Here’s how I take my cold brew when I’m feeling a little filmy:
Pour into a tall glass.
Add a splash of lemon juice, some mint leaves, and maybe a dash of nostalgia.
Sit near a window with sunlight on your face.
Play some old Lata Mangeshkar or Coke Studio fusion tracks.
Sip. Smile. Repeat.
🫶 Final Thoughts – Like All Good Things, It Grows On You
Cold brew tea is not just a drink; it’s a mood. A vibe. A gentle reminder that good things take time and taste better when you’re not rushing.
It doesn’t yell for attention. It whispers peace. And in a world that’s constantly buzzing with deadlines, cold brew is that rare moment where you pause, breathe, and think, “Damn, I made this.”
Try it once. Make it yours. Share it with someone. Or don’t. Some romances are best sipped solo. 💁♀️
Until next steeping,
Stay cool. Stay sippin’. 🌿💛
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