Quench your thirst on a hot summer day with a tall glass of my refreshing Peachy Peach Iced Tea.
Made with fresh peaches and black tea, this easy-to-make sweet tea recipe is a delightful treat. The best thing about this one is how versatile it is—my family loves honey, so I always make ours with local honey. We are lucky because our neighbors at the farm happen to have an apiary! (In case you’re wondering, an apiary is the term for a collection of beehives—now let’s get back to it!) It’s Michigan peach season in Illinois right now, and we are taking FULL advantage of the juicy goodness.
Peach tea with a twist: take your iced tea experience to the next level by transforming it into a delightful cocktail.
Customize this sweet peach iced tea recipe with your favorite spirits to transform it into a cocktail for a refreshing summer soirée. Have you ever had Long Island Iced Tea? One wonderful thing about good iced black tea is that it’s easy to turn it into a cocktail using your favorite spirits. I enjoy the PG version throughout the day, but I may or may not be known to add a splash of rum or bourbon to your after-dinner beverage. My friends love them! We’re enjoying summer to the fullest over here.
Would you like a less-sweet sweet tea? With this recipe, you can adjust the sweetness to your liking.
This recipe makes a slightly sweet iced tea, but it’s easy to adjust to suit your personal preferences. If you would like it less sweet (or sweeter!), just adjust the sugar, agave nectar, or honey to taste. I recommend starting with less and adding more, about a teaspoon at a time. Make sure to mix it well and take a taste before you add another spoonful!
Mary’s Peachy Peach Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups water
- 3 ripe peaches, thinly sliced
- ½ cup granulated sugar, agave nectar, or honey
- 6 cups water
- 2 to 3 bags of black tea
- Ice cubes
- Fresh peach slices
- Fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
- Prepare the peach infusion: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sliced peaches, and your choice of sugar, agave nectar, or honey. Bring to a boil on high heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. As the peaches begin to soften, use the back of a spoon or a fork to crush them. Do this several times during the simmering process.
- Turn off the heat and let the peach mixture cool for 15 minutes. Transfer the peach mixture to a high speed blender or food processor. Puree the mixture until it’s smooth. Pour the peach puree through a mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Use the back of a spoon to press out as much of the liquid as possible. Transfer the peach infusion to a pitcher or jar and set aside. Discard any simmered peaches that are left in the strainer. The peach infusion can be prepared 2 days ahead and refrigerated.
- In a medium pot, bring the remaining 6 cups of water to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Depending on your taste preference, use 2 to 3 tea bags. Let the tea brew, off of the heat, for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (and up to 3 days).
- When you’re ready to serve, add the peach infusion to the iced black tea. Stir to combine. Serve with ice and a garnish of fresh-sliced peaches and sprigs of fresh mint. Add a splash of your favorite spirit if you like—grown-ups only! Enjoy!
