Cold brew rooibos: caffeine-free, mellow, and perfect for the evening + recipes
Cold brew rooibos is a mild, naturally decaffeinated infusion perfect for the evening. Find out how to prepare rooibos cold brew, what to combine it with, and how to adjust the proportions to make a delicate, aromatic, and pleasantly refreshing homemade iced tea.
Cold rooibos is a delicate, naturally caffeine-free infusion that works great as an evening alternative to classic iced tea. It has a mild, slightly honey-like taste, pairs well with fruits, citrus, and herbs, and doesn't require complicated preparation.
It's a good choice for those looking for a cold drink but don't want to reach for black or green tea in the evening. Rooibos can be prepared classically and then chilled, or brewed using the cold brew method, which means slowly steeping in cold water.
Short answer: cold rooibos is best prepared with 2-3 teaspoons of dried leaves per 500 ml of water. You can pour hot water over it, steep for 5-8 minutes, and chill, or prepare a cold brew for 6-10 hours in the refrigerator. Rooibos naturally contains no caffeine, making it a good choice for a mild evening drink.
Rooibos cold brew in brief
- Rooibos is not a classic tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, but an infusion from the red bush plant.
- It is naturally caffeine-free, so it can be consumed in the evening.
- It has a mild, slightly sweet, honey-woody taste.
- It tastes good cold, with ice, lemon, orange, raspberries, peach, mint, or honey.
- It can be prepared classically and then chilled, or made using the cold brew method.
- It is a good choice for people who dislike the bitterness of black or green iced tea.
- Cold rooibos is suitable as a drink for dinner, evening relaxation, working at the computer, or a summer gathering on the terrace.
What is rooibos?
Rooibos is an infusion prepared from the leaves of the red bush plant, native to South Africa. Although it is often referred to as "rooibos tea," it is not technically tea in the strict sense, as it does not come from the leaves of the Chinese tea plant.
In practice, for most people, the most important thing is that rooibos is brewed similarly to tea, has a pleasant aroma, and can be drunk both hot and cold. When chilled, it is particularly enjoyable in summer and when looking for a calming caffeine-free drink.
Good to know: rooibos naturally contains no caffeine, making it one of the most convenient choices for an evening cold infusion.
Why does rooibos taste good cold?
Rooibos has a mild, slightly sweet flavor profile. It doesn't have the intense astringency that can sometimes be found in black or green tea brewed for too long. This makes it forgiving to prepare and tolerant of longer brewing times.
When cold, rooibos becomes more delicate, dessert-like, and smooth in taste. Paired with ice, fruits, or a slice of citrus, it can resemble a light, homemade iced tea, but without the need for a large amount of sugar.
Key takeaway: cold rooibos is a good choice for those who want to prepare a mild, caffeine-free, and less astringent drink than classic iced tea.
Does cold rooibos contain caffeine?
Rooibos naturally contains no caffeine. This is one of its biggest advantages, especially if you are looking for a drink for late afternoon or evening.
Unlike black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong, or matcha, rooibos does not come from the tea plant. This is why it is often chosen by people who want to reduce caffeine intake but still enjoy the ritual of brewing an aromatic infusion.
However, it is worth remembering that rooibos blends may contain various additives. If you want a caffeine-free infusion, check the product's ingredients to ensure there is no black, green, or white tea.
Cold rooibos vs. classic iced tea
Classic iced tea is most often made from black or green tea. It has a distinct flavor, often handles lemon and fruit better, but may contain caffeine and can be astringent if brewed for too long.
See suggestions for classic iced teas for summer.
Rooibos works differently. It is smooth, mild, naturally sweet, and caffeine-free. This makes it a good base for evening cold drinks, including for those who avoid stimulating infusions in the afternoon.
| Drink | Caffeine | Taste | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iced black tea | Yes | intense, tannic, distinct | day, lunch, meetings |
| Iced green tea | Yes | fresh, vegetal, slightly grassy | morning, afternoon |
| Iced white tea | Yes, usually less than black | delicate, floral | day, calm afternoon |
| Cold rooibos | No | mild, slightly honey-like, smooth | afternoon, evening |
How to make cold rooibos?
Cold rooibos can be prepared in two main ways. The first involves classic brewing with hot water and then chilling the infusion. The second is cold brew, which means long steeping in cold water.
Both methods are good but yield slightly different results. The classic method is faster and produces a more distinct infusion. Cold brew is milder, more rounded, and very convenient if you want to prepare a drink in the evening for the next day.
Method 1: Hot-brewed and chilled rooibos
This is the simplest way if you want to quickly prepare cold rooibos.
Ingredients
- 2-3 teaspoons of rooibos
- 500 ml of water
- ice cubes
- slices of orange, lemon, or lime
- optional: honey, mint, raspberries, peach, or apple
Step-by-step preparation
- Place rooibos in a pitcher, infuser, or filter.
- Pour water at about 95-100°C over it.
- Steep for 5-8 minutes.
- Strain the leaves.
- Let the infusion cool down.
- Place in the refrigerator or pour into a glass with plenty of ice.
- Add fruits, herbs, or a mild sweetener to taste.
This rooibos has a fuller flavor than cold brew. It works well when you want a distinct aroma and need to prepare the drink in a shorter time.
Expert tip: If you want to serve rooibos immediately with ice, brew a stronger infusion. Ice will dilute the flavor, so it's better to use a bit more of the dried leaves.
Method 2: Rooibos cold brew
Cold brew is a cold steeping method. It does not use hot water, only cool or cold water. The leaves release their flavor more slowly, but the infusion is very mild.
Ingredients
- 2-3 teaspoons of rooibos
- 500 ml of cold water
- pitcher or bottle
- optional: fruits, mint, citrus
Step-by-step preparation
- Place rooibos in a pitcher or bottle.
- Pour cold water over it.
- Refrigerate for 6-10 hours.
- Strain the leaves.
- Serve with ice and toppings.
Rooibos cold brew is best prepared in the evening and left in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning or the next day, the drink is ready to serve.
See our full guide on how to prepare tea using the cold brew method.
How much rooibos to use per 1 liter of water?
For 1 liter of cold infusion, it is best to use about 4-6 teaspoons of rooibos. If you add a lot of ice, citrus, or fruit, you can prepare a stronger infusion.
| Drink volume | Amount of rooibos | Hot brewing time | Cold brew time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 ml | 1-1.5 teaspoons | 5-8 minutes | 6-10 hours |
| 500 ml | 2-3 teaspoons | 5-8 minutes | 6-10 hours |
| 1 liter | 4-6 teaspoons | 5-8 minutes | 6-10 hours |
| 1.5 liters | 6-9 teaspoons | 5-8 minutes | 6-10 hours |
The best proportions depend on the specific blend. Rooibos with added fruits may require a slightly larger amount of dried leaves if it is to be intensely noticeable after chilling.
What to pair cold rooibos with?
Rooibos pairs well with additions that emphasize its natural mildness. The safest combinations are fruits, citrus, mint, and delicate spices.
Best additions to cold rooibos
- orange
- lemon
- lime
- peach
- raspberries
- strawberries
- apple
- pear
- mint
- lemon balm
- honey
- vanilla
- cinnamon
- cloves in very small amounts
Rooibos takes well to both fresh and dried fruits. For a summer version, citrus, mint, and berries work best. For a more evening version, you can add a slice of orange, a touch of honey, and vanilla.
It's also worth checking out fruit infusions based on natural fruits.
Recipe: Evening cold rooibos with orange and mint
This is a simple recipe for a mild, caffeine-free drink that is perfect after dinner or during a relaxing evening.
Ingredients for 1 liter
- 5 teaspoons of rooibos
- 1 liter of water
- 1 orange
- a few mint leaves
- plenty of ice
- optional: 1-2 teaspoons of honey
Preparation
Steep rooibos in hot water for 5-8 minutes, strain, and let cool. Add orange slices and mint, then chill in the refrigerator. Serve with ice. If you prefer a slightly sweeter taste, add honey to the still warm infusion so it dissolves more easily.
Good to know: it's best to add honey to warm, but not boiling, infusion. It dissolves less easily in cold water and can settle at the bottom of the glass.
Recipe: Rooibos cold brew with raspberries
This variant is delicate, fruity, and very simple. It's perfect for a summer evening, but can be prepared all year round, even with frozen raspberries.
Ingredients for 1 liter
- 5 teaspoons of rooibos
- 1 liter of cold water
- a handful of raspberries
- a few slices of lemon
- ice cubes
Preparation
Place rooibos in a pitcher, add raspberries and lemon slices. Pour cold water over it and refrigerate for 6-10 hours. After this time, strain the infusion. Serve with ice and a few fresh raspberries in the glass.
This is a good recipe for those who enjoy fruity infusions without the intense tartness of hibiscus.
Recipe: Cold rooibos with peach
Rooibos and peach create a soft, dessert-like combination. This is a good alternative to store-bought peach drinks, especially when you want to control the amount of sweetness.
Ingredients for 1 liter
- 5-6 teaspoons of rooibos
- 1 liter of water
- 1 ripe peach
- a few lemon slices
- ice
- optional: a touch of honey or agave syrup
Preparation
Brew rooibos hot, strain, and chill. Cut the peach into slices or cubes. Add the fruit to the pitcher, top with ice and lemon slices. Stir before serving.
If you want a stronger fruity flavor, you can slightly crush some of the peach in the pitcher.
Is cold rooibos suitable for children?
Rooibos naturally contains no caffeine, which is why it is often chosen as a mild infusion for children. However, for the youngest, it is worth serving it in a simple version, without intense spices and without much added sweetness.
It is best to choose rooibos without added black, green, or white tea. It is also worth checking the ingredients of the blend, especially if the child has allergies or sensitivities to specific fruits, flavors, or herbs.
Key takeaway: for children, the safest choice will be plain rooibos or a mild rooibos blend with fruits, without caffeine-containing additives.
When is the best time to drink cold rooibos?
Cold rooibos can be drunk at various times of the day, but it is particularly well-suited for the afternoon and evening. It contains no caffeine, so it is not a typical stimulating drink.
It is perfect for:
- after work,
- with dinner,
- during evening relaxation,
- on the terrace or balcony,
- as a drink with a book or movie,
- on warm days instead of classic lemonade,
- as a caffeine-free alternative to iced tea.
It does not have to be treated exclusively as a summer drink. Chilled rooibos with orange, apple, cinnamon, or vanilla can also be enjoyable outside of the holiday season.
How to choose rooibos for cold brewing?
For preparing cold rooibos, it is best to choose good quality dried leaves that give a clean, pleasant aroma after brewing. You can opt for plain rooibos or a blend with fruits and spices.
Plain rooibos
Plain rooibos will be best if you want to decide the flavor of the drink yourself. You can add citrus, fruits, honey, mint, or spices exactly to your liking.
It is also a good choice for cold brew, as it allows for a mild, clean infusion.
Fruity rooibos
Fruity rooibos is suitable if you want to prepare a drink faster and without many additions. Blends with orange, raspberry, strawberry, peach, apple, or vanilla taste good when chilled.
It is worth choosing compositions where the rooibos remains noticeable and the additions do not overpower the entire infusion.
Loose leaf or sachets?
Loose leaf rooibos offers greater freedom in choosing proportions. You can easily prepare a stronger infusion for a pitcher or a larger amount of ice.
Rooibos in sachets will be convenient if you want to quickly prepare a single serving. For a large pitcher, loose leaf is usually better.
| Need | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clean taste and own additions | plain rooibos | gives the most control over flavor |
| Fruity drink without fuss | fruity rooibos | has a ready aroma and tastes good with ice |
| Large pitcher for the evening | loose leaf rooibos | easy to adjust infusion strength |
| Quick single serving | rooibos in sachets | convenient and easy to use |
What accessories to use for cold rooibos?
You don't need many accessories to prepare cold rooibos. The most important are a pitcher, a strainer or infuser, and space in the refrigerator.
Useful items include:
- pitcher with infuser,
- paper filter or metal strainer,
- cold brew bottle,
- glasses for iced drinks,
- bar spoon or long spoon,
- ice cube tray.
A pitcher with an infuser is particularly practical, as it allows for easy separation of the leaves from the infusion. For cold brew, a bottle with a filter or a large jar with a strainer will also be convenient.
Common mistakes when preparing cold rooibos
Rooibos is easy to prepare, but a few mistakes can weaken the taste of the drink.
Too little of the dried leaves
After chilling, the taste of the infusion seems milder. If you use too little rooibos, the drink may be watery. For iced drinks, it's worth brewing rooibos slightly stronger than for a classic cup.
Serving with ice too quickly
If you pour hot infusion directly onto a small amount of ice, the ice will melt quickly and dilute the taste significantly. It's better to let the rooibos cool down first or prepare a stronger concentrate.
Too many additions
Rooibos is mild, so it's easy to mask its flavor with too much lemon, mint, or sweeteners. Additions should enhance the brew, not completely overpower it.
Too short cold brew time
When cold brewing, rooibos needs time. If you strain it after an hour or two, the brew might be too weak. It's best to leave it in the fridge for 6-10 hours.
Using a caffeinated blend
Not every blend labeled "rooibos" is entirely caffeine-free, especially if it contains added black or green tea. It's worth checking the ingredients, particularly if the brew is intended for the evening.
How to store prepared cold rooibos?
Prepared cold rooibos is best stored in the refrigerator, in a closed pitcher or bottle. It's best consumed within 24 hours, when the flavor is fresh and distinct.
If you add fresh fruit, mint, or citrus, the drink may change flavor more quickly. Lemon and lime can add a more pronounced bitterness after a longer time, especially if you leave the peel in the pitcher.
Best practice: prepare the brew itself beforehand, and add fresh fruit and ice just before serving.
Recommended products for cold rooibos
Plain Rooibos
A good choice for those who want to create their own cold drinks. Pairs well with orange, raspberries, lemon, mint, and honey.
Fruity Rooibos
The best choice for those who want to quickly prepare an aromatic drink without needing many ingredients. Blends with orange, raspberry, strawberry, vanilla, or apple work particularly well.
Vanilla Rooibos
A mild, dessert-like option for evening cold drinking. Tastes good with milk, plant-based milk, ice, or a touch of honey.
Pitcher with Infuser
A practical accessory for preparing larger quantities of cold rooibos. Makes it easier to separate the dry leaves from the brew and serve the drink with ice and fruit.
Related categories
-
Rooibos - the best category for those looking for a caffeine-free brew, hot or cold.
-
Caffeine-free teas - a helpful category for those looking for evening infusions.
See also
-
How to make iced tea at home? - an article for those who want to learn different methods of preparing iced tea.
-
Cold brew: how to prepare tea using the cold method? - a guide to slow brewing in cold water.
-
Caffeine-free teas: what to choose for the evening? - a post helping to choose mild infusions for late hours.
FAQ
Does cold rooibos contain caffeine?
Cold rooibos naturally contains no caffeine, as it is not made from Chinese tea leaves. It's a good choice for afternoon and evening, especially for those who avoid stimulating infusions.
How long should cold rooibos be brewed?
Cold brew rooibos is best steeped in cold water for 6-10 hours in the refrigerator. For the classic method, simply steep it in hot water for 5-8 minutes, then chill.
How much rooibos for 1 liter of water?
For 1 liter of water, it's best to use about 4-6 teaspoons of rooibos. If the drink will be served with a lot of ice or fruit, it's worth preparing a slightly stronger brew.
Can rooibos be steeped in cold water?
Yes, rooibos can be steeped in cold water and prepared using the cold brew method. Such a brew will be mild, smooth, and subtly sweet, but it requires several hours in the refrigerator.
Is cold rooibos good for the evening?
Cold rooibos is a good choice for the evening, as it naturally contains no caffeine and has a mild flavor. It can be served with ice, orange, mint, or fruit.
What is the best way to drink cold rooibos?
Cold rooibos tastes best with orange, lemon, raspberries, peach, mint, vanilla, or a touch of honey. Additions should enhance the mild flavor of the infusion, not completely mask it.
Can cold rooibos be drunk without sugar?
Yes, cold rooibos can be drunk without sugar, as it has a naturally mild and slightly sweet taste. If you want to subtly sweeten it, a small amount of honey or syrup is enough.
Is rooibos suitable for iced tea?
Yes, rooibos is very suitable for homemade iced tea. It is caffeine-free, has a mild flavor, and combines well with ice, fruit, and fresh herbs.
Can cold rooibos be prepared the day before?
Yes, cold rooibos can be prepared the day before and stored in the refrigerator. It's best to add fresh fruit, ice, and mint just before serving to maintain a fresh taste.
Is rooibos a tea?
Rooibos is colloquially called tea, but technically it is an infusion from the redbush plant, not from Chinese tea leaves. This means it naturally contains no caffeine.
Summary
Cold rooibos is a simple, mild, and caffeine-free drink that is especially good in the afternoon and evening. It can be prepared quickly, by steeping hot and chilling, or more gently, using the cold brew method.
It tastes best with citrus, raspberries, peach, mint, vanilla, or a touch of honey. It's worth using a little more loose leaf than for a classic cup, as ice and fruit subtly dilute the flavor of the infusion.
If you're looking for a caffeine-free cold drink, rooibos will be one of the most versatile options. It's easy to prepare, pleasant to taste, and simple to customize with your own additions.
See available rooibos and choose a mild, caffeine-free infusion that you can prepare both hot and cold.