When the summer heat hits, nothing feels better than a refreshing glass of cold brew tea. You can enjoy the pure taste of tea by simply cold brewing the leaves, or you can take it a step further and add fruits, honey, dried herbs, or mint to create something even more fun and flavorful.
In this guide, we’ll share 7 easy cold brew tea recipes made with Chinese whole leaf tea. These recipes are fruity, floral, smooth, refreshing, and perfect for summer.
Why Make Cold Brew Tea with Chinese Whole Leaf Tea?
- Smoother taste: Cold water extracts fewer bitter compounds, so the tea tastes naturally sweet, mellow, and less astringent.
- Lower caffeine: Cold brew tea generally tastes gentler, making it great for relaxed all-day sipping.
- 0 sugar, 0 calories, 0 additives: Whole leaf tea is simply tea. The brewed tea contains almost no calories and no added flavors, colors, or sweeteners.
- More refreshing: Served chilled over ice, it becomes an easy summer drink for hot afternoons.
- Endless creativity: You can pair cold brew tea with fruits, herbs, flowers, or honey to create your own flavor combinations.
How to Make Cold Brew Tea: Basic Ratio and Brewing Time
For most Chinese whole leaf teas, a simple cold brew ratio is about 1g of tea leaves to 100ml of water. Add the tea leaves to cold or room-temperature water, refrigerate for several hours, then strain and enjoy over ice.
| Tea Type | Suggested Cold Brew Time | Flavor Result |
|---|---|---|
| Green Tea | 4–6 hours | Fresh, sweet, grassy, and refreshing |
| Jasmine Tea | 4–6 hours | Floral, smooth, and naturally fragrant |
| Oolong Tea | 6–8 hours | Floral, fruity, creamy, or roasted depending on the tea |
| White Tea | 6–8 hours | Soft, mellow, lightly sweet, and gentle |
| Dark Tea or Aged Tea | 8+ hours | Smooth, deep, rich, and refreshing |
Quick tip: If you want a faster cold drink, you can also hot brew the tea for a short time, then chill it with ice. This works well when you want to make a cold brew-style tea drink right away.
7 Easy Cold Brew Tea Recipes for Summer
These cold brew tea recipes are designed around real tea flavor. Instead of using artificial flavoring, each recipe pairs Chinese whole leaf tea with fruits, flowers, or herbs that naturally match the tea’s aroma.
| Recipe | Best For | Tea Type | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomegranate Jasmine Green Tea | Floral fruit tea lovers | Jasmine Green Tea | Sweet, floral, refreshing |
| Sweet Pear Osmanthus Oolong | Soft floral tea lovers | Osmanthus Oolong | Juicy, floral, smooth |
| Green Grape Lemon Jasmine Oolong | Bright summer drinks | Jasmine Oolong | Sweet-sour, floral, crisp |
| Peach Oolong | Peach tea lovers | Huang Jin Gui Oolong | Fruity, floral, light |
| Pineapple White Tea | Gentle cold brew tea | Gong Mei White Tea | Clean, citrusy, lightly sweet |
| Blueberry Lemon Oolong | Crisp bold tea drinks | Yongchun Fo Shou Oolong | Fruity, citrusy, refreshing |
| Salted Plum Green Tea | Savory-sweet refreshment | Huangshan Maofeng Green Tea | Salty, sweet, fresh |
1. Pomegranate Jasmine Green Tea
A gorgeous-looking cold brew tea with layers of flavor. The rich floral aroma of jasmine blends with the natural sweetness of fresh pomegranate juice. No sugar is needed; it is already pleasantly sweet, with a subtle tea finish. One sip feels like stepping into a garden full of jasmine blossoms.
What you’ll need: Half a pomegranate, Jasmine Green Tea
How to make it:
- Brew a cup of Jasmine Green Tea. Cold brew for 4–6 hours using about a 1:100 tea-to-water ratio, or hot brew for 1 minute and chill with ice.
- In a shaker, crush pomegranate seeds to release the juice. Add a little syrup if you like, plus the tea and some ice. Shake well.
- In your glass, add large ice cubes, pour in half a cup of pomegranate juice, then top with Jasmine Green Tea.
Tea pairing: Jasmine Green Tea works especially well here because its natural floral aroma balances the sweet-tart pomegranate.
Explore Jasmine Green Tea2. Sweet Pear Osmanthus Oolong
The juicy sweetness of pear meets the smooth richness of oolong, all lifted by the fragrant aroma of osmanthus flowers. Drinking this feels like strolling under an osmanthus tree in bloom—sweet, floral, and comforting.
What you’ll need: Osmanthus Oolong, 1 pear
How to make it:
- Brew a cup of Osmanthus Oolong. Cold brew for 6–8 hours, or hot brew and chill with ice.
- Blend half a pear into juice.
- In a glass, add ice, half a cup of pear juice, a splash of syrup if you want, and fill up with the tea. Garnish with pear slices or leaves.
Tea pairing: Osmanthus Oolong is a lovely choice for cold brew tea if you enjoy soft floral notes, mellow texture, and a naturally sweet finish.
Explore Osmanthus Oolong3. Green Grape Lemon Jasmine Oolong
Bright and refreshing. The tartness of lemon is softened by the sweetness of grapes, creating a balanced sweet-sour taste. As the drink settles, jasmine notes come through, followed by a smooth oolong finish. It is a perfect palate cleanser on hot days.
What you’ll need: Green grapes, lemon, Jasmine Oolong
How to make it:
- Brew a cup of Jasmine Oolong. Cold brew for 6–8 hours, or hot brew and chill with ice.
- In a shaker, crush about 15 grapes and 2 lemon slices with a little tea and ice. Shake well.
- Pour the juice mix into your glass, then top with the tea. Garnish with lemon slices.
Tea pairing: Jasmine Oolong brings both floral fragrance and oolong smoothness, making this cold brew tea taste layered without becoming heavy.
Explore Jasmine Oolong4. Peach Oolong with Huang Jin Gui
The sweetness of peach pairs beautifully with the floral aroma of Huang Jin Gui oolong, which has a natural osmanthus-like fragrance. The result is a layered, fragrant cold brew tea that tastes sweet yet light.
What you’ll need: Huang Jin Gui Oolong, 1 peach
How to make it:
- Brew a cup of Huang Jin Gui. Cold brew for 6–8 hours, or hot brew and chill with ice.
- Blend peach into juice, strain out the pulp, then shake with a splash of tea and ice.
- Add a layer of peach pulp to your glass, some ice, half a cup of peach juice, and finish with tea. Garnish with peach slices.
Tea pairing: Huang Jin Gui is a great oolong for fruit cold brew tea because its floral aroma naturally pairs with peach, pear, and other sweet summer fruits.
Explore Huang Jin Gui Oolong5. Pineapple White Tea
The first sip brings out the clean fragrance of white tea. In the middle, the flavors of white tea and lemon come together, adding refreshing citrus brightness. The finish is lightly sweet with a touch of pineapple. Instead of overpowering the tea, the pineapple makes the tea taste clearer and more layered.
What you’ll need: Half a pineapple, Gong Mei White Tea, lemon
How to make it:
- Brew Gong Mei White Tea. Cold brew for 6–8 hours, or hot brew and chill with ice.
- In a shaker, crush pineapple chunks and lemon slices, add ice and tea, and shake well.
- Pour into a glass with ice, then garnish with pineapple slices.
Tea pairing: Gong Mei White Tea is mellow and gentle, making it a good choice for anyone who wants a light, smooth, and naturally sweet cold brew tea.
Explore Gong Mei White Tea6. Blueberry Lemon Oolong with Yongchun Fo Shou
This cold brew tea has a truly unique character. The distinctive aroma of Yongchun Fo Shou oolong, often compared to bergamot, blends with the tartness of lemon to create a refreshingly crisp flavor. The gentle sweetness of blueberries slowly unfolds, adding layers of taste with every sip.
What you’ll need: Blueberries, lemon, Yongchun Fo Shou Oolong
How to make it:
- Brew Yongchun Fo Shou Oolong. Cold brew for 6–8 hours, or hot brew and chill with ice.
- In a shaker, crush about 20 blueberries and 2 lemon slices with tea and ice. Shake well.
- In a glass with ice, pour half blueberry-lemon juice, then fill with tea. Garnish with lemon.
Tea pairing: Yongchun Fo Shou Oolong gives this recipe a citrus-like depth, making it especially refreshing with blueberry and lemon.
Explore Yongchun Fo Shou Oolong7. Salted Plum Green Tea
This cold brew tea tastes like summer by the sea. The light saltiness of preserved plums blends with the refreshing notes of Huangshan Maofeng green tea, all lifted by the chill of ice. The gentle sweetness of the plums gives way to a subtle green tea bitterness at the finish, leaving a refreshing aftertaste that lingers on the palate.
What you’ll need: Salted plums, Huangshan Maofeng Green Tea, lemon
How to make it:
- Brew a cup of Huangshan Maofeng. Cold brew for 4–6 hours, or hot brew and chill with ice.
- Soak 4–6 salted plums in hot water for 5 minutes. Remove the plums and let the water cool.
- In a shaker, mix one-third salted plum water with two-thirds tea, plus lemon slices. Shake well.
- Pour over ice, and you’re done.
Tea pairing: Huangshan Maofeng is fresh and lightly sweet, which makes it a great green tea for cold brew recipes with salted plum, lemon, or other bright flavors.
Explore Huangshan MaofengBest Chinese Teas for Cold Brew
If you’re new to cold brew Chinese tea, start with teas that are naturally floral, fruity, smooth, or lightly sweet. Jasmine green tea, Huangshan Maofeng, white tea, and lightly oxidized oolong teas are especially beginner-friendly.
| Tea Type | Best For | Recommended Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| Jasmine Green Tea | Floral and refreshing cold brew tea | Pomegranate Jasmine Green Tea |
| Huangshan Maofeng | Fresh, clean green tea flavor | Salted Plum Green Tea |
| Osmanthus Oolong | Sweet floral aroma and smooth texture | Sweet Pear Osmanthus Oolong |
| Gong Mei White Tea | Mellow, light, and gentle cold brew tea | Pineapple White Tea |
| Yongchun Fo Shou Oolong | Citrus-like aroma and bolder cold brew flavor | Blueberry Lemon Oolong |
Want an Easy Way to Try Cold Brew Tea?
If you don’t want to choose one tea at a time, a cold brew tea sampler is an easy way to explore different flavors. Choose a lighter floral set if you prefer crisp, refreshing teas, or a smooth and bold set if you enjoy richer, deeper flavors.
Light & Lively Floral Cold Brew Teas
Best for beginners or anyone who enjoys crisp, floral, refreshing cold brew tea. This set is centered around lighter tea flavors, from the sweet clarity of Huangshan Maofeng to the elegant jasmine aroma of Jasmine Oolong.
Explore Floral Cold Brew Teas
Smooth & Bold Rich Cold Brew Teas
Best for tea lovers who prefer a deeper, smoother, and richer cold brew tea experience. Each tea offers a different character, so you can enjoy a new cold brew flavor every day of the week.
Explore Rich Cold Brew TeasCold Brew Tea FAQs
What is the best tea for cold brew?
Floral, fruity, and smooth teas usually work very well for cold brew. Jasmine green tea, light oolong, white tea, and fresh green tea are great choices if you want a refreshing summer drink.
How long should I cold brew tea?
Most whole leaf teas can be cold brewed for 6–8 hours. Green tea may need a slightly shorter time, while oolong, white tea, or aged tea can be brewed longer for a smoother and deeper taste.
Can I cold brew Chinese tea?
Yes. Chinese whole leaf teas are excellent for cold brewing because they often have natural floral, fruity, nutty, or mellow notes without added flavors or sweeteners.
Is cold brew tea less bitter?
Yes. Cold water extracts fewer bitter compounds than hot water, so cold brew tea usually tastes smoother, sweeter, and less astringent than hot brewed tea.
Can I add fruit to cold brew tea?
Yes. Fruits like peach, pear, pineapple, lemon, blueberries, grapes, and pomegranate can pair beautifully with cold brew tea. The key is to choose fruits that complement the tea’s natural aroma.
