The best cold brew teas (meaning, teas that brew in five minutes or less in cold water, thanks to the miracle of modern science) are refreshing, smooth, and actually taste like tea. That might seem like an obvious stipulation to some, but you’d be surprised! We tried plenty of instant cold brew tea bags that tasted more like minty, flavored water than the bitter herb itself.
While I’m happy to spend an ungodly amount of money on a singular bubble tea drink whenever I so gosh darn well please, I am not the type of person who brews her own traditional iced tea. That requires a level of patience and forethought I simply do not possess at this point in my adulthood. Now, that being said, I’m sure there’s a version of my life where I do brew my own iced tea. That person is a successful homeowner with copious fridge space, a sunny backyard, and no desire to pursue a career in the film industry. Thus, she has the time and stable mental health to enjoy the simple pleasures in life—like sitting out with the pitcher of the best cold brew tea on her back patio, watching the sunset on yet another beautiful, relaxing, fulfilling day.
Ah, fantasies. While that particular delusion might be a long way away, at the very least, I can easily make a glass of instant cold brew tea and sip it out on my tiny apartment balcony. Close enough, right? I grabbed as many store-bought cold brew tea brands I could find from major supermarkets and tried them side-by-side. (In our next update, we’ll probably look at more niche specialty options—if you have a favorite that you think belongs on this list of the best cold brew tea, let us know!) Here are the best cold brew teas, because life’s too short for bad tea and lukewarm ambitions.
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- Great Value Cold Brew Tea
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Unless you’re a black tea connoisseur, you’re really not going to taste much of a difference between Great Value’s affordable option and the other plain, unsweetened black teas on this list. It might not be as bold as our #1 best cold brew tea (which is also an unsweetened black tea), but it’s definitely a step above other brands I tried, since it actually tastes like tea. I know, I know—the bar is low, people. Jazz it up with some fresh lemon and a little sweetener, and you’re golden.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Lipton Cold Brew Tea
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Lipton Cold Brew Tea yields a pretty smooth black tea flavor that may not be strong and bitter enough for some, but I quite liked it anyway. With some condensed milk, warm spices, and crushed ice, this would make a great base for homemade Thai iced teas. If you prefer a milder, easy-drinking black tea, this is one of the best cold brew tea options for a refreshing (and lightly caffeinated) beverage.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Celestial Seasonings Raspberry Black Tea
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While Celestial Seasonings’ raspberry tea isn’t as bold as the brand’s other flavors, this is the one I kept coming back to. I would love to sit with a pitcher of it out on my imaginary back patio with my rich husband and our two well-behaved dogs any day. The raspberry isn’t incredibly potent, but I don’t recommend steeping this longer to achieve a stronger flavor—that bitter black tea will come through and dominate. Adding fresh raspberry and other fruits is really the way to go.
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- Celestial Seasonings Red, White, and Blueberry
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Am I feeling particularly patriotic lately? No. But that won’t stop me from enjoying Celestial Seasonings’ Red, White, and Blueberry tea. (In fact, it’s my personal favorite of the bunch.) Underneath the primary flavor of hibiscus, you get a neat balance of subtle raspberry and fresh blueberry, which makes every sip nuanced, refreshing, and not too floral. If you’re looking to serve a bright and unique herbal tea to impress your guests at a daytime party, this is the best bold brew tea to pick up.
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- Celestial Seasonings Unsweetened Black Tea
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Celestial Seasonings Unsweetened Black Tea is our best cold brew tea for its potency of flavor. Even with its short steep time, you still get that signature note of bitter, brisk, almost metallic black tea. Can we thank the citric acid in the ingredients for the sudden flavor boost? Probably, since the other black teas I tried didn’t have that. To be clear, it doesn’t taste oversteeped—it’s just strong and fresh-tasting. Believe it or not, I took this home with the intention to make my own Arnold Palmers. Will I ever actually put in the time and effort to make them? Who knows. Maybe I’m one step closer to my life—one where I have that sunny backyard, ample fridge space, and the time to enjoy the best cold brew tea without immediately getting distracted by something far less productive—after all!
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Best Budget
Best Smooth Black Tea
Best Fruity
Runner Up
Best of the Best
Other cold brew teas we tried: Signature Select Black Tea Cold Brew, Bigelow Peach Lemonade Acai Herbal Infusion Tea, Bigelow Blackberry Raspberry Hibiscus Herbal Infusion Tea, Bigelow Strawberry Lemon Orange Blossom Herbal Infusion Tea, Celestial Seasonings Cold Brew Citrus Sunrise Iced Tea, Celestial Seasonings Cold Brew Sweetened Tea with Lemon Iced Tea
It’s too bad you didn’t try Luizianne’s cold brew iced tea! It is by far the best I’ve ever tried. I drink it all summer.