Tea Infused Cold Brew

Summer is the perfect time for cold drinks. We can’t imagine sitting outside on a blazing hot day with a steaming cup of tea. At Piper and Leaf, while we adore tea as much as the next person, we’ve got a special place in our hearts for coffee, too.

Most mornings at our HQ, the smell of Walling Mountain coffee fills the air as we eagerly await the opening of our cafe. But these aren’t your everyday coffee drinks, oh no. We are Piper and Leaf, after all. Our coffee drinks are infused with our very own tea. After all, what could make your morning coffee even better? Piper and Leaf Tea, at least, we think so!

We’ve experimented with several ways to blend our tea with coffee. Our shops use the Samovar method for brewing tea (if you're not familiar, definitely check it out!). We love adding a bit of tea concentrate to our coffee for craft lattes, americanos, tea lattes… you name it.

But as summer rolls in, our need for iced drinks of all kinds increase. Iced teas, sparkling teas, and yes, iced coffees too. While iced lattes or americanos are classics, our absolute favorite iced coffee is our in-house draft cold brew. Though, It’s not just any cold brew—it’s infused with our tea, of course!

Our beloved cold brew combines Walling Mountain Heritage Roast coffee, Briar Patch Brew, and Chocola-Tea. Each ingredient adds a unique touch, creating a smooth and well-rounded cup of iced coffee that our regulars and staff adore.

So, What’s the Deal with Cold Brew Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is made with cold water...Shocking, I know. Brewing the coffee with cold water is what gives cold brew its' distinct flavor. Unlike hot coffee, which is brewed quickly and extracts a broad range of flavors (including acids and bitter compounds), cold brew takes its time. The flavors slowly develop over hours, resulting in a smoother, less acidic cup with rich aromas that are simply irresistible.

Cold brew is often brewed as a concentrate (just like our tea), making it super versatile and easy to store. You can dilute it to your taste, whether you like it strong or maybe not so much.

Cold Brew...Tea?

Just like cold brew coffee, you can cold brew tea too! While it’s not our usual practice, we make exceptions for making our tea-infused cold brew.

So, without further ado, we’re excited to share our cold brew recipe with you! There are a couple of ways to make it, so feel free to adjust to your taste preference.

Tea Infused Cold Brew

Ingredients:

• 4.3g (2.5 tsp) Briar Patch Brew Loose Leaf Tea
• 4.3g (2.5 tsp) Chocola-Tea Loose Leaf Tea
• 26.4g (5 1/4 tbsp) Coffee of Choice (we love Walling Mountain's Heritage Roast)

Directions:

1. In your Piper Press, add all the coffee and tea.

2. Fill the Piper Press to the line with room temperature or cold water (no hot water here!).

3. Place the lid on top of the Piper Press, but don’t press down—just cover it.

4. Let it sit at room temperature or pop it in the fridge overnight for 12-16 hours.

5. When the time's up, press down and transfer your concentrate to a different container. We love using a Mason jar with the pour spout from our Piper Press Brew Kit!

To Serve:

1. This makes a 1:8 ratio (but feel free to make it stronger or lighter, just how you like it!).

2. Mix 1 ounce of cold brew concentrate with 7 ounces of water. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, replace the water with sparkling water or milk!

3. Customize to your heart's content by adding milk, simple syrup, or even some fresh fruit.

4. Fill your cup with ice and enjoy!