Best Iced Tea to Brew at Home
Loose Leaf Iced Tea: Premium Blends Made for Brewing Cold!
Brew the best iced tea you've ever had, right from your own pitcher. Our loose leaf iced tea collection brings together 50+ premium blends crafted to shine over ice, from juicy hibiscus fruit infusions to crisp green teas and bold black tea classics. No syrups, no shortcuts, no mystery powders. Just real leaves, real fruit, and real flavor. Whether you're after a tart strawberry-hibiscus cooler, a smooth peach black tea, or a caffeine-free herbal sipper, you'll find your new summer staple below. Scroll down to find your favorite, or jump straight to our easy iced tea brewing guide at the bottom.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Iced Tea (The Easy Way)
Brewing loose leaf iced tea at home is simpler than you think. Follow this method and you'll have a refreshing pitcher of café-quality tea in about 10 minutes, with no special equipment required.
Tea-to-Water Ratios
1 Quart Pitcher: 2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 32 oz of water
½ Gallon Pitcher: 4 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 64 oz of water
1 Gallon Pitcher: 6 to 8 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 128 oz of water
Pro tip: Every tea has its own steeping time and temperature, so check the brewing instructions on your specific blend for best results.
The 4-Step Pitcher Method
1. Brew a concentrate. Heat half the water you'll need to the temperature listed on your tea. Add your loose leaf tea and steep for the recommended time. Give the leaves plenty of room to circulate for full flavor extraction.
2. Sweeten while hot (optional). Sugar dissolves easily in warm tea but struggles in cold water. Stir it in now, or prep a simple syrup ahead of time for quick sweetening later.
3. Pour over ice. Fill your pitcher to the top with ice, then strain the hot concentrate directly over it. The ice instantly chills the tea and locks in the flavor.
4. Top with cold water. Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water, give it a stir, and serve. That's it.
Prefer Cold Brew?
Cold brewing pulls out smoother, less astringent flavors and is nearly impossible to mess up. Use the same tea-to-water ratios above, combine loose leaf tea with cold filtered water in a pitcher, and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours. Strain and serve over ice. Hibiscus and fruit blends are especially incredible cold brewed.
Iced Tea FAQs
How much loose leaf tea do I need per gallon?
Use 6 to 8 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per gallon of water. Start with 6 and adjust to your taste. Stronger blends like black tea may need less, while delicate green teas may need a touch more.
What's the best loose leaf tea for iced tea?
Fruit-forward and hibiscus-based blends are the most popular choices for iced tea because they hold their bold flavor over ice. Green and white teas make smooth, refreshing brews, while black teas deliver classic Southern-style depth. Browse our full collection above to find your match.
Can you cold brew loose leaf tea?
Yes, and it's one of the easiest brewing methods. Combine loose leaf tea with cold water (same ratios as hot brewing), refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours, then strain and serve. Cold brewing produces a naturally smoother, less bitter cup.
How long does loose leaf iced tea last in the fridge?
Freshly brewed iced tea stays at peak flavor for 3 to 4 days when stored in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator. For the best taste, brew small batches more often.
Do I need to sweeten iced tea?
Not at all. Our fruit-forward and herbal blends are naturally flavorful and delicious unsweetened. If you prefer a sweeter cup, add sugar while the tea is hot or use a simple syrup so it blends evenly.
MORELoose Leaf Iced Tea: Premium Blends Made for Brewing Cold!
Brew the best iced tea you've ever had, right from your own pitcher. Our loose leaf iced tea collection brings together 50+ premium blends crafted to shine over ice, from juicy hibiscus fruit infusions to crisp green teas and bold black tea classics. No syrups, no shortcuts, no mystery powders. Just real leaves, real fruit, and real flavor. Whether you're after a tart strawberry-hibiscus cooler, a smooth peach black tea, or a caffeine-free herbal sipper, you'll find your new summer staple below. Scroll down to find your favorite, or jump straight to our easy iced tea brewing guide at the bottom.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Iced Tea (The Easy Way)
Brewing loose leaf iced tea at home is simpler than you think. Follow this method and you'll have a refreshing pitcher of café-quality tea in about 10 minutes, with no special equipment required.
Tea-to-Water Ratios
1 Quart Pitcher: 2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 32 oz of water
½ Gallon Pitcher: 4 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 64 oz of water
1 Gallon Pitcher: 6 to 8 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 128 oz of water
Pro tip: Every tea has its own steeping time and temperature, so check the brewing instructions on your specific blend for best results.
The 4-Step Pitcher Method
1. Brew a concentrate. Heat half the water you'll need to the temperature listed on your tea. Add your loose leaf tea and steep for the recommended time. Give the leaves plenty of room to circulate for full flavor extraction.
2. Sweeten while hot (optional). Sugar dissolves easily in warm tea but struggles in cold water. Stir it in now, or prep a simple syrup ahead of time for quick sweetening later.
3. Pour over ice. Fill your pitcher to the top with ice, then strain the hot concentrate directly over it. The ice instantly chills the tea and locks in the flavor.
4. Top with cold water. Fill the rest of the pitcher with cold water, give it a stir, and serve. That's it.
Prefer Cold Brew?
Cold brewing pulls out smoother, less astringent flavors and is nearly impossible to mess up. Use the same tea-to-water ratios above, combine loose leaf tea with cold filtered water in a pitcher, and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours. Strain and serve over ice. Hibiscus and fruit blends are especially incredible cold brewed.
Iced Tea FAQs
How much loose leaf tea do I need per gallon?
Use 6 to 8 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per gallon of water. Start with 6 and adjust to your taste. Stronger blends like black tea may need less, while delicate green teas may need a touch more.
What's the best loose leaf tea for iced tea?
Fruit-forward and hibiscus-based blends are the most popular choices for iced tea because they hold their bold flavor over ice. Green and white teas make smooth, refreshing brews, while black teas deliver classic Southern-style depth. Browse our full collection above to find your match.
Can you cold brew loose leaf tea?
Yes, and it's one of the easiest brewing methods. Combine loose leaf tea with cold water (same ratios as hot brewing), refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours, then strain and serve. Cold brewing produces a naturally smoother, less bitter cup.
How long does loose leaf iced tea last in the fridge?
Freshly brewed iced tea stays at peak flavor for 3 to 4 days when stored in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator. For the best taste, brew small batches more often.
Do I need to sweeten iced tea?
Not at all. Our fruit-forward and herbal blends are naturally flavorful and delicious unsweetened. If you prefer a sweeter cup, add sugar while the tea is hot or use a simple syrup so it blends evenly.