Two Roads to Chill: Cold Brew vs. Flash Brew

Great iced tea is vibrant, clean, and thirst-quenching—not bitter or flat. There are two classic approaches. Cold brew extracts slowly in the fridge, delivering ultra-smooth, low-bitterness tea. Flash brew (hot-bloom over ice) locks in aroma and brightness for a crisp, café-style finish. Choose the style that matches your mood—and your tea.

Cold Brew: Silky and Effortless

1. Ratio: 1:15–1:20 (e.g., 50 g tea to 750–1000 g water).
2. Method: Combine tea and cold, filtered water in a jar; refrigerate 6–12 hours for green/oolong, 8–18 for black/herbal.
3. Strain: Use a fine filter; don’t squeeze leaves to avoid bitterness.
4. Serve: Over fresh ice with lemon slices or mint.

Cold brew shines with delicate greens, floral oolongs, and fruit-forward herbals. It’s also meal-prep-friendly—make a large batch and enjoy for up to 3 days.

Flash Brew: Bright, Aromatic, Café-Crisp

1. Ratio: Use hot water equal to 60–70% of total yield, brew strong, then pour over ice to hit your final volume.
2. Water Temp: 80–85 °C for green/white; 90–95 °C for black/oolong.
3. Time: Shorten slightly vs. hot tea (e.g., 1–2 min for green, 2–3 min for black) because ice will dilute.

The shock-chill preserves top aromatics—perfect for jasmine, earl grey, or bergamot-scented blends.

Sweetness, Acidity, and Texture

To sweeten without graininess, make a simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) or use honey syrup (2:1 honey to warm water). Add citrus for sparkle—lemon, yuzu, or lime. For texture, a splash of coconut water softens tannins; a touch of tonic gives a playful bite.

Herbal & Fruit Infusions

• Mint-Lime Green: Gunpowder green, mint, lime wheels, light syrup.
• Peach Oolong: Cold-brewed oolong with peach slices; top with soda for fizz.
• Hibiscus Cooler: Tart, ruby-red hibiscus with orange and cinnamon.
• Chamomile Honey: Comforting, floral, and caffeine-free—ideal for evenings.

Ice Matters More Than You Think

Use fresh, neutral-tasting ice. Large cubes melt slower for less dilution; crushed ice is great when you want quick chill and a slushier texture. Clear ice boosts presentation for café-style photos.

Batching, Storage, and Safety

Store iced tea covered in the fridge for up to 72 hours. Keep fruit-heavy blends to 48 hours for best freshness. Label jars with brew date and tea type so you can iterate on recipes like a pro.