Ready for Hot Summer? Here's 5 Iced Herbal Teas to Enjoy

The first enjoyable thing to do on a hot summer day is to drink a cold, refreshing drink. When the heat is raging, most of us are looking for a cold drink like soda, juice, or beer. But did you know you can enjoy a cup of cold herbal tea? Cold brew teas, in the middle of a hot summer, is a healthy, refreshing alternative and an experience that turns things around.

Let’s explore what cold brew tea is and what herbal teas are the best candidates to replace cold, sugary drinks in a hot summer.

What is a Cold Brew Tea?

Cold brew tea, cold tea, or iced tea is just a type of cold, all-natural, organic drink. It has been around since tea became a popular drink, especially in countries with rich tea culture. But recently, iced tea has become a trend, and health & wellness influencers are constantly talking about it on social media like Instagram and TikTok.

Cold brewing tea is a simple brewing method, where you brew tea in cold water instead of boiling water. To simply cold brew tea leaves, you should:

Pack your tea infuser with dried herbal tea leaves or pour the leaves directly into a bottle, jar, or French press.
Fill up the bottle with hot, not boiling, water. Wait for an hour until the water cools down a bit. Then, put it in the refrigerator for 3 to 7 hours.
Strain the tea into a teacup or mug full of ice.
Enjoy a cold, refreshing herbal tea in the middle of a hot, sunny day.

The result is a clear and smooth drink with the herbal tea’s natural flavor and the health benefits intact. And the most interesting thing is that cold herbal teas have no caffeine, so you can drink them whenever you want without messing with your sleep pattern.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing drink, something to cool down, or a healthy drink, there’s always a herbal tea to suit your mood. With a simple tool such as a jar with a lid, a cold brew tea bottle, or a French press, you can easily brew yourself a cup of cold herbal tea at home.

Now, let’s take a look at the best herbs for cold brewing.

#1 Hibiscus

This tart, red, and flavorful tea is one of the stars of cold brew teas. When you pour dried hibiscus flowers into cold water, the water turns into a wonderful ruby drink with an attractive taste. The taste is sour, fairly similar to cranberry, with a mild bitterness that goes perfectly with the coldness of the drink. Hibiscus iced tea is also called cold brew Jamaica. But beauty isn’t the only thing about hibiscus. It’s packed with antioxidants and helps lower blood pressure.

To prepare it, pour a tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers with about two glasses of cold water into a bottle or jar with a lid. Then, put it in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours. Strain and serve it over ice. If you want to make it sweeter, add a slice of orange or a little honey.

#2 Peppermint

If you’re looking for a quick, refreshing drink, cold brew peppermint is the way to go. Its natural peppermint taste has a mild sweetness to it that gives you a cool and refreshing feeling. Apart from its taste, this plant helps with digestion and headaches. It is also a good herbal tea for managing mild anxiety after work. Cold brewing permeating makes the taste milder and clearer, and the bitterness that sometimes comes out of boiling water is no longer there at all.

To brew a cup of iced peppermint tea, just pack your infuser with peppermint leaves and put it in a cup of cold water. Leave it in the fridge for about 6 hours. The result is an energetic and pleasant drink that is perfect for hot summer afternoons, especially after heavy meals.

#3 Chamomile

We know Chamomile as a bedtime tea, but when it’s cold-brewed, it takes on a whole new flavor! Its mild, apple-like flavor becomes lighter and more floral. Drinking it feels like a gentle summer breeze in a glass. Chamomile herbal tea is very good for calming the nerves and stomach, but the cold brew chamomile is great in driving heat out of your body and helping you relax after work or exercise.

This cold brew tea has a simple recipe. Add 1 tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers to two glasses of cold water. Use a brew tea bottle to get a clear tea. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. The longer it stays in the bottle, the deeper the flavor, but not at all spicy or offensive. You can drink it plain or give it more freshness with a drop of lemon juice. This cold-brewed herbal tea is a mild and lovely drink for any time of the day.

#4 Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a herbal tea with a powerful calming effect and a light, lemony, slightly herbal flavor. Don’t confuse it with the Lemon Balm plant from the mint family. Lemon Balm has several benefits, such as helping you concentrate and improving digestion. Cold-brewing lemon balm makes a light, refreshing drink that is caffeine-free and invigorating.

To prepare it, add one tablespoon of dry Lemon Balm leaves for every two glasses of cold water. Use a cold brew bottle or a glass bottle with a lid. Crush the leaves before adding them to the glass to release the aroma and make your cold brew even more refreshing. Next, put the bottle in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours. Strain the tea when pouring it into a cup. You can also add cucumber slices or mint leaves to make the experience a special one.

#5 Rooibos

Pronounced ROO-BOSS, this herbal tea hails from South Africa and is a caffeine-free tea with a warm, sweet flavor. Unlike many herbs, cold brewing rooibos creates a smooth, almost creamy texture that makes it look and feel like a luxurious drink you order in a posh cafe in the middle of Paris. This tea, however, is healthy and easy to brew with an interesting aroma.

To prepare this plant, mix a tablespoon of dry Rooibos leaves with two glasses of cold water. You can use a glass bottle with a lid, a cold-brew bottle, or a French press. Then, place it in the refrigerator and let it steep for 10 to 12 hours. The taste is mild, but if you like, you can make it more special with a little oat milk or a drop of vanilla extract. A wonderful, refreshing cold drink for summer nights.

Conclusion

Cold brewing tea isn’t just a habit or a fad — it’s a simple, attractive, and healthy way to enjoy the pure, cool flavors of herbs. Whether you use a simple jar or a professional tool, the method is very easy: dry plant, cold water, a few hours in the refrigerator, and that’s it! But the result is a delicious tea, without caffeine, and full of a good feeling that cools you down and makes you feel better. From the sour spiciness of hibiscus to the gentle softness of chamomile, each plant gives a special characteristic to your glass. Keep it simple or get creative with your combinations and garnishes. Cold brew goes well with any lifestyle, mood, and any hour of the day. So, if you are tired of sweet drinks or hot tea, try cold brew once. It’s definitely a new summer habit — a cool cup in a quiet moment.