This refreshing Homemade Peach Iced Tea recipe is a classic drink that’s perfect for sipping on spring and summer afternoons. It combines the sweet taste of ripe peaches with the refreshing coolness of freshly brewed tea. Bursting with flavor and served on ice, everyone will enjoy sipping and savoring the sweetness.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Flavor Twist: The natural sweetness of peaches complements the tea perfectly.
- Refreshing: Sweet tea is a classic summer drink that offers a refreshing and thirst-quenching option on hot days. Its cool and sweet flavor makes it a popular choice for staying hydrated and beating the heat.
- Southern Tradition: Sweet tea holds a special place in Southern tradition and culture and is often associated with hospitality and comfort. It’s a great way to connect with Southern traditions and evoke a sense of nostalgia.
- Easy to Customize: The tea can be customized with additional flavors such as lemon, mint, or fruit syrups to suit your tastes.
- Simple Ingredients: You will only need a few simple ingredients—water, peaches, tea bags, and sugar or sweetener—making it easy and affordable to prepare at home.
- Customizable Sweetness: When making tea at home, you have control over the sweetness level. Whether you prefer your tea lightly sweetened or super sweet, you can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste preferences.
What Type of Peaches to Use/Fresh or Frozen
It’s best to use ripe but firm peaches that will impart a sweet and flavorful taste without becoming too mushy. Here are more tips:
- Fresh or Frozen: You can use fresh ripe peaches when they are in season for the best flavor. However, if fresh peaches are not available, you can also use frozen peaches. Just make sure to thaw them before using in the tea.
- Freestone Peaches: These work best because Freestone peaches have pits that easily separate from the flesh, making them easier to slice and pit for use in the tea.
- Ripe and Fragrant: Choose peaches that are fully ripe and fragrant. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed, indicating that they are juicy and flavorful.
Ripe Peaches
You should aim to use only ripe peaches in this recipe. Unripe peaches will lack the sweet and juicy flavor that ripe peaches provide. This will result in a bland or less flavorful tea. Unripe peaches are firmer and have a harder texture compared to ripe peaches. They won’t break down or infuse the tea with their flavor as effectively.
Do You Have to Peel Them?
I don’t peel the peaches because your peach simple syrup mixture will have to be strained first before adding it to the tea, so there is really no point in doing so. The peel of the peach contains flavor compounds that can contribute to the overall taste of the tea. Leaving the peel on will also enhance the peach flavor and aroma of the tea.
How to Sweeten It/How Much Sugar or Sweetener to Add
This is where you should take over and make the recipe yours. Decide how you like your tea. Do you like really sweet tea or something more subtle? I’m not a fan of super sweet tea so I like to shoot for something in the middle. With that said, you may find that you like a lot more sugar or sweetener than I list in this recipe.
Make adjustments to suit your taste. You can also sweeten the tea with honey, maple syrup, or agave. If you plan to use these you will need to sweeten to taste.
What Type of Tea to Use
I used standard black tea. Here are some things to consider.
- Black Tea: Iced tea is often made with black tea, which provides a robust flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the peaches. You can use loose-leaf black tea or black tea bags for convenience.
- Green Tea: Green tea offers a lighter and more delicate flavor compared to black tea. It pairs well with the natural sweetness of peaches and provides a refreshing and slightly floral taste.
- Herbal Tea: Herbal teas, such as chamomile, rooibos, or hibiscus, can also be used to make peach iced tea. These caffeine-free options offer a variety of flavors and health benefits, making them a great choice for those looking to avoid caffeine.
- White Tea: White tea has a subtle and delicate flavor profile that allows the sweetness of the peaches to shine through. It provides a light and refreshing base for peach iced tea, perfect for those who prefer milder teas.
How to Make Homemade Peach Iced Tea
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and step tea bag.
- Once the tea has been steeped, add the tea to a pitcher.
- In a saucepan or pot, combine water and sweetener or sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar or sweetener is completely dissolved.
- Add sliced peaches. Mash the peaches into the simple syrup.
- Use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth and strain the mixture into a cup/bowl/or directly into your serving pitcher.
- Stir to combine.
Substitutions and More Ways to Add Flavor
- Strawberries
- Lemon
- Lime
- Orange
- Fresh Basil
- Fresh Mint
- Cinnamon
- Coconut Water
- Vanilla Extract
- Lavender
How to Store It
After preparing the tea, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a clean, airtight container or pitcher. Once cooled, cover the container tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator promptly. Refrigerate it within two hours of brewing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain its quality.
The tea is best enjoyed fresh within a few days of preparation. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, after that, its flavor and quality may begin to degrade. Keep the container tightly sealed to minimize exposure to other odors and maintain the tea’s aroma and flavor.
More Peach Recipes
Smoked Peaches
Grilled Peaches
Sugar Free Peach Cobbler
Peach Bellini
Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
More Drink Recipes
Watermelon Water
Rainbow Sherbet Punch
Frozen Blended Strawberry Lemonade
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
Sugar Free Lemonade
Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade
Homemade Peach Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 12 cups water
- 6 teabags
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups sugar or sweetener
- 2-3 fresh peaches Diced into smaller chunks; 2-3 cups if using frozen.
Instructions
Brew the Tea
- In a large pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the tea bags. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on your desired strength.
- Once the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags and discard them.
Peach Simple Syrup
- In a saucepan or pot, combine 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 1/2 cup of sweetener or sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar or sweetener is completely dissolved.
- Add the sliced peaches. Mash the peaches into the simple syrup. Allow the peaches to soften (still at medium heat) and steep in the syrup for about 10-15 minutes to infuse their flavor.
Iced Tea
- Once cooled, add the tea to your serving pitcher.
- Use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth and strain the peach simple syrup mixture into a cup/bowl/or directly into your serving pitcher. This way only the peach flavored simple syrup is added to the tea.
- Stir to combine. Taste repeatedly and adjust the sweetness as needed to suit your taste.
- Serve chilled and/or with ice.