Peach Iced Tea

This Peach Iced Tea is a refreshing, sweet, and perfectly balanced drink that combines the classic Southern sweet tea with homemade peach syrup. With a hint of honey and the natural sweetness of ripe peaches, it’s a delightful summer beverage that’s perfect for relaxing on a warm afternoon or serving at a gathering. This easy-to-make iced tea is sure to become your new go-to drink!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Peach Iced Tea brings together the richness of traditional iced tea with the sweetness and fruity freshness of peaches, making it a refreshing and satisfying drink. The homemade peach syrup is the star of this recipe, giving the tea a natural, fruity sweetness, while the combination of sugar and honey adds depth and richness. Whether you’re serving it at a barbecue or enjoying it by yourself, this drink is both thirst-quenching and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• For the Tea:

  • 5 cups water, divided

  • 1 family-size tea bag

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 3/4 cup honey

• For the Peach Syrup:

  • 2 cups frozen peaches, thawed and pureed (or 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced)

  • 1 cup water (for syrup)

• For Serving:

  • 2 cups frozen peaches (for serving; do not thaw)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Make the Tea:

   • Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

   • Remove from heat, add the tea bag, and steep for 5 minutes.

   • Pour the tea into a 2-quart pitcher and set aside to cool.

2. Make the Peach Syrup:

   • In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, honey, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved.

   • Add the pureed peaches and bring the mixture to a low boil. Remove from heat and let it cool.

   • Pour the syrup through a mesh sieve held over a small bowl. Press the peaches to extract as much juice as possible, discarding the peach pulp.

3. Combine the Tea and Syrup:

   • Add the peach syrup to the cooled tea, tasting as you go until you reach your desired sweetness. For a pleasant sweetness, add 1 to 2 cups of syrup to the 4 cups (1 quart) of tea. For a single 8-ounce serving, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of syrup.

4. Serve:

   • Divide the frozen peaches between 4 glasses. Add ice, then pour the peach iced tea over the peaches and ice.

   • Stir to combine, and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 5 minutes

• Total Time: 15 minutes

• Servings: 4 servings

Variations

• Make It Sparkling: Add sparkling water or club soda to the peach iced tea for a fizzy version.

• Add Mint: Garnish your peach iced tea with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing herbal twist.

• Sweetness Options: Adjust the amount of sugar or honey in the syrup to make it as sweet or as light as you prefer.

• Lemon Twist: Add a splash of lemon juice to the tea for a citrusy kick that complements the sweetness of the peaches.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store any leftover peach syrup in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.

• Leftover Tea: The leftover iced tea can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just serve it over fresh ice when you’re ready to enjoy.

• Freezing: If you have extra peach syrup, you can freeze it in ice cube trays for later use in future batches of peach iced tea!

FAQs

1. Can I use fresh peaches instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use fresh peaches. Just peel and slice them, then puree them in a blender for the syrup.

2. Can I make the peach syrup ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the peach syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. This will save time when you’re ready to make the tea.

3. Can I use a different sweetener instead of sugar and honey?

Yes, you can substitute the sugar and honey with alternatives like agave syrup, maple syrup, or stevia. Adjust to taste.

4. How can I make this peach iced tea less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of sugar and honey in the peach syrup, or use a natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.

5. Can I make this tea without marshmallow creme?

This recipe doesn’t actually call for marshmallow creme—it’s all about the peach syrup and tea. However, you can add marshmallow creme as a topping for an extra creamy texture if you’d like!

6. How long should I steep the tea?

You should steep the tea for about 5 minutes. If you steep it too long, it may become bitter.

7. Can I make this recipe without the marshmallow creme?

This recipe doesn’t actually call for marshmallow creme, but you can skip it altogether if you prefer a simple peach iced tea.

8. Can I use a different type of tea?

Yes, you can substitute the black tea with green tea or even herbal tea, though the flavor will change slightly.

9. How can I make this drink less fruity?

To make this less fruity, you can reduce the amount of peach syrup and increase the tea-to-syrup ratio. You can also add more water to dilute the sweetness.

Conclusion

This Peach Iced Tea is the perfect combination of sweet, fruity, and refreshing. With homemade peach syrup and a classic Southern iced tea base, it’s the ideal drink to cool down on a hot summer day. Whether you’re serving it at a barbecue or enjoying it on your own, this iced tea will surely become a favorite!

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