What is cold brew?
The principle is simple: we leave tea, plants or fruits to infuse in cold water for several hours, most often in the refrigerator. The extraction is done slowly, without heat, which changes everything.
Without high temperature, the tannins remain calm. Result: much less bitterness, a rounder, lighter drink, and frankly more thirst-quenching in hot weather. Green teas, fruity infusions and rooibos lend themselves particularly well to it but nothing prevents you from experimenting with other mixtures.
Why adopt it?
A natural drink, without fuss. No added sugar, ingredients you choose: it's the ideal method if you're careful about what you drink.
Aromas that surprise. When cold, the floral, fruity or vegetal notes reveal themselves to be much more delicate, sometimes more complex, than in a hot infusion.
Effortless preparation. We put it down, we forget it, we enjoy it. No technical gesture required.
His only real fault? You have to anticipate. This is where the hot method takes over.
The quick alternative: cooled hot infusion
Want a iced brew without waiting for hours? Nothing could be simpler: prepare your tea normally with hot water, let it cool, then put it in the refrigerator. A little ice cubes to finish, and it's ready.
The steps in summary:
- Heat your water according to the type of tea
- Leave to infuse for the recommended time
- Remove the leaves or the sachet
- Let cool to room temperature
- Refrigerate or add ice cubes
- Serve well chilled
This method extracts aromas faster and more intensely. On the other hand, the bitterness may be slightly more present; consider reducing the infusion time or the quantity of tea to balance it.
How to make your iced infusion a success?
A few reflexes are enough for a really good result.
Take care of the water. This is the basis. Water that is too mineralized crushes the aromas; prefer soft or filtered water.
Respect the dosages. Too much tea, and the drink becomes overwhelming. Not enough, and it will be bland. Follow the directions, then adjust to your liking.
Adapt the infusion time. Each tea reacts differently. The first few times, taste regularly to find your balance point.
Recommended brew times
| Type of drink | Cold method | Hot method |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea | 6 to 8 hours | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Black tea | 8 to 12 hours | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Herbal infusion | 6 to 10 hours | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Rooibos | 8 to 12 hours | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Fruity blends | 4 to 6 hours | 5 to 8 minutes |
These numbers are a starting point, your palate remains the best judge.
Our top 4 cold infusions
No need to search long: some mixtures are simply made for the cold.
Aquafrutti : An explosion of fruit that doesn't need sugar to seduce. Strawberry, raspberry, hibiscus... In cold brew, it takes on a delicious and slightly tangy dimension, perfect for summer afternoons.
Aquasummer : Bright summer notes that express themselves wonderfully after a few hours in the refrigerator. Fresh, thirst-quenching, it gives the impression of drinking summer in a glass.
Aquarosa : More floral, more delicate. When cold, its aromas of rose and red fruits are revealed gently, without ever saturating the palate. A great option for those who like subtle flavors.
Rooibos Vanilla : Without theine, it can be enjoyed at any time — including the evening. Cold infused, it develops a velvety texture with a hint of soft and enveloping vanilla. Ideal for a break without stimulants.
Tips to enhance your infusion
Want to personalize your infusions? Some easy-to-implement ideas:
- Add fresh fruit lemon, red fruits, peach. It reinforces the aromatic and changes everything visually.
- Slip in aromatic herbs like basil or rosemary. The association can be surprising, in a good way.
- Make flavored ice cubes based on tea or fruit. They cool without diluting, and prolong the pleasure until the last sip.
Is it better to drink hot or cold in summer?
You might think that drinking cold in the heat is the obvious solution. It's nice, it's refreshing in the moment. But the body doesn't quite work like that. A very cold drink causes mild vasoconstriction, which can actually slow down the natural cooling process. Hot drinks, on the other hand, trigger more sweating and it is precisely this mechanism that effectively regulates body temperature. This is also why in many warm countries, we drink hot tea all year round. But then, what to choose?
It all depends on the context. In the shade, in a cool space, an iced infusion is perfect light, hydrating, aromatic. In high heat, in direct sunlight or during physical exertion, a warm or hot drink will paradoxically be more effective in maintaining your thermal comfort.
The good news is that cold or hot infusion adapts to both uses. You don't have to choose once and for all. Prepare your cold brew for mornings at the office, and keep your tea hot for outdoor walks. All without sugar, without additives, with flavors that change depending on the temperature.