The Best Cold Brew Iced Green Tea Flavors

Green tea and cold brewing were made for each other. Steep green tea in cold water instead of hot and the leaves let their flavor go slowly. You get a smooth, clean glass with none of the bitterness that hot water can pull from delicate leaves. The fruit tastes fruitier. The florals stay soft. Every sip comes through clear.

Below are the green teas we reach for all summer, the two staffers at Plum Deluxe love most, and a few easy ways to turn a plain glass into something you crave another of!

Why cold brew makes green tea taste so smooth

Hot water is fast, but it can be harsh on green tea. Cold water takes its time. Over a few hours in the fridge, it draws out the sweet, flavor-forward notes and leaves the sharp edges behind. What you get is a naturally smooth iced tea you can drink by the pitcher, no sugar needed.

It is also forgiving. There is no kettle to watch and no timer to race. You set it in the fridge, go about your day, and it is ready when you are. Green tea carries less caffeine than black tea, too, so a tall glass in the afternoon feels just right.

Our two favorites

Abundance Blend Green Tea (Passionfruit and Elderflower)

This one is a founder's favorite, and it earns the spot. Japanese green tea meets juicy passionfruit and a soft touch of elderflower. Cold brewed, it becomes the kind of glass you want to sip slowly on the porch. The passionfruit comes forward, bright and a little tropical, while the green tea stays clean underneath. A slice of lime on the rim is all it needs. Try Abundance Blend Green Tea.

Candied Orange Green Tea

A fan favorite, and an easy one to love. Sweet orange rests on a very light green tea, so it tastes naturally sweet without going syrupy. Cold brew coaxes out that candied orange note and keeps the whole glass mellow. Pour it over ice with a slice of fresh orange and you are set. Try Candied Orange Green Tea.

More green teas worth cold brewing

• Citrus Mint Green Tea. Lemon, orange, and fresh spearmint make this the most refreshing glass in the lineup, with a lower caffeine level too.
• Mango-Apricot Green Tea. Mango, apricot, and peach give you a juicy, sunny glass that tastes like the middle of summer.
• Garden Grove Green Tea. Sweet cherry with a whisper of vanilla and florals over grassy green tea. Soft and pretty served cold.
• Butterfly Effect Green and White Tea. Green and white tea with mango and peach, plus butterfly pea flower for a color-changing glass that is fun to pour for guests.
• Queen's Blend Green Tea. A lemon creme Earl Grey twist that cold brews into something citrusy and gently creamy.
• Easy to Be Green Tea. Gentle blueberry green tea with a low caffeine level, made for slow afternoons.

Easy ways to make it 'fancy'

Cold brew gives you a clean base to play with. Here are the add-ins we like:

• A slice of fresh lemon, lime, or orange for a little aromatic boost.
• A sprig of mint or basil, lightly pressed, for a garden note.
• A spoonful of honey stirred in, if you like it sweeter. (you can put the honey in a few teaspoons of hot water to emulsify it)
• A splash of our Deluxe Lemonade Mix for instant sweet-tart flavor. 
• A pinch of butterfly pea flowers in the brew for a color-changing theatre for guests.

Make a green tea Arnold Palmer

Half iced tea, half lemonade, all summer. A green tea Arnold Palmer is the easiest upgrade on this list, and it plays beautifully with citrus blends like Candied Orange or Citrus Mint.

Here is how we make ours:

1. Cold brew your green tea and let it chill.
2. Mix up a pitcher of lemonade. Our Deluxe Lemonade Mix comes in Lemon and Lavender, and both are lovely here.
3. Fill a tall glass with ice, then pour it half tea and half lemonade.
4. Stir, taste, and adjust. Add a slice of lemon and enjoy.

Want it to fizz? Top the glass with a splash of sparkling water for a lighter, spritz-style drink.

If you would rather have everything ready in one box, our Arnold Palmer Bundle pairs six iced tea blends with two lemonades.

How to cold brew green tea at home

It could not be easier. Here is the method we use:

1. Add one heaping tablespoon of loose leaf tea for every two cups of cold, filtered water.
2. Pour the water over the leaves in a pitcher or a mason jar. Our Maison Brew cold brew kit is made for exactly this.
3. Cover and refrigerate. Green tea likes a shorter steep, so start around four to six hours, then taste.
4. Strain out the leaves, pour over ice, and enjoy.

One ounce of loose leaf makes a lot of tea, so a single pouch will carry you through pitcher after pitcher.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cold brew any green tea?

Yes. Any of our loose leaf green teas cold brew well. Fruity and citrus blends like Candied Orange and Abundance are especially smooth, because cold water brings their flavor forward without any bitterness.

How long should green tea cold brew?

Start around four to six hours in the refrigerator, then taste. Green tea steeps faster than black tea, so a shorter time keeps the glass smooth and clean.

What can I add to cold brew green tea?

Fresh citrus slices, a sprig of mint or basil, berries, or a spoonful of honey all work well. For more flavor, add a splash of lemonade, or brew with a pinch of butterfly pea flowers for a glass that changes color when you add citrus.

How do I make a green tea Arnold Palmer?

Cold brew your green tea and chill it, then fill a glass with ice and pour it half tea and half lemonade. Candied Orange and Citrus Mint are great choices for the tea. Stir, taste, and finish with a slice of lemon.

Is cold brew green tea less caffeinated?

Green tea carries less caffeine than black tea to begin with. Cold brewing pulls caffeine out slowly, so a glass tends to feel gentle, which makes it a lovely afternoon drink.

Do I need to add sugar?

No. Cold brew green tea tastes naturally smooth and lightly sweet on its own. A little honey is nice if you want it.

Make a pitcher tonight and it will be waiting for you tomorrow, cold and ready.