Description
This Fresh Peach Tea recipe is a delightful Southern summertime beverage that combines the classic refreshing taste of iced tea with a sweet, fruity peach syrup. Perfectly balanced with lemon juice and fresh mint, it offers a cool and invigorating drink ideal for hot days.
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 8 1/2 cups cool water, divided
- 2 family-size tea bags
Peach Syrup
- 3 cups chopped unpeeled ripe peaches (about 4 medium)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water (for syrup)
Additional Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tea: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Cover and steep for 10 minutes to extract the tea flavor fully.
- Make Peach Syrup: Combine the chopped peaches, sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium and cook until the peaches are very soft, about 5 minutes, mashing occasionally with a potato masher to break down the fruit.
- Strain Peach Syrup: Pour the cooked peach mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible, creating a smooth peach syrup.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the remaining 5 cups of water into the steeped tea, remove and discard the tea bags. In a large heatproof pitcher, mix the tea, peach syrup, and fresh lemon juice thoroughly.
- Serve: Pour the peach tea over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- The leftover peach pulp is great to use in oatmeal, pancake batter, or blended into smoothies.
- For a less sweet tea, reduce the sugar amount according to taste.
- Peach syrup can be refrigerated separately and used within 3 days.
- Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best flavor.
- This tea tastes best served cold over ice.
