Though I used to despise peaches as a child, I’m quite fond of them now. All it took was one good peach milkshake and my mind was changed. Ice cream has undeniable power over me.
Origins of Peach Tea
Sweetened iced tea is a popular beverage in the Southern US and the oldest written recipe is believed to date back to an 1879 cookbook. We couldn’t find any history on the addition of peaches, but they are a common crop in southern states, especially in Georgia.
The following is our inspired take on the peach tea we’ve tried in restaurants including… Sonic. I hate to compare this tea to Sonic’s, because that would mean I would have to admit I go there.
But since the cat is out of the bag, I am fond of Sonic’s unsweetened iced tea with peach and was happy to recreate something so similar at home that was much fresher and made with ingredients I know and trust. This peach iced tea really is perfect.
How to Make Peach Iced Tea
It starts with peach simple syrup, which has the most gorgeous pink hue. Not to mention, it tastes amazing – like ripe peach liquid candy. If you don’t want that, you’re wrong.
Once your simple syrup is made, all that’s left to do is brew up your favorite black tea. We prefer loose leaf, but bagged tea is fine too. The main flavor here is the peach anyway, but quality tea certainly doesn’t hurt.
This peach iced tea is summer perfection. It’s
Perfectly sweet
Mega peachy
So refreshing
Ice cold
Simple to make
& Perfect for hot summer days & BBQs
The beautiful thing is, you can brew the iced tea and keep the simple syrup on hand so each person can decide how much they want to add. Or, you can mix it all together in a tea dispenser for easy serving for parties and such. It really is the perfect summer beverage. Hope you’ll give it a try. Cheers!
More Refreshing Iced Tea Recipes
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Perfect Peach Iced Tea
Ingredients
SIMPLE SYRUP
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 ripe peaches (thinly sliced // plus more for serving)
TEA
- 2-3 Tbsp loose leaf black tea (3-4 tea bags // depending on how strong you prefer it)
- 8 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Bring sugar, water, and peaches to a boil in a small saucepan. Then lower heat and use a wooden spoon to stir and crush the peaches to infuse the flavor.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, cover, remove from heat and let steep for 25-30 minutes.
- In the meantime, brew your tea using either a large pot or a tea maker. I use this loose leaf tea steeper. NOTE: Use less tea if you prefer it weaker or more tea if you prefer it stronger, and try not to let it steep longer than 4-5 minutes or it can get bitter.
- Once brewed, remove tea bags or strain out loose leaf tea and transfer to a pitcher. Refrigerate to cool.
- Once your simple syrup is finished, pour into a bottle or container over a fine mesh strainer to strain out peaches. You can reserve the peaches for later use, such as to place over oats or ice cream sundaes.
- To serve, either set out simple syrup and add as much to the tea as you like, or add all of the simple syrup to the tea and stir. I prefer leaving it separate. Serve tea over ice and fresh sliced peaches. Recipe as originally written yields about 10 servings (with ice and peaches).
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Danielle says
Hello! How long do the reserve peaches last? The syrup is delicious btw, this is my second time making it!
We’re so glad you enjoy the syrup, Danielle! The reserved peaches will keep for ~1 week in the refrigerator.
Lucy says
I found a loose, large leaf white tea, and a discounted bottle of Tesseire peach syrup a while back and have been making a delicious iced tea with those. I didn’t realise white tea contained the most caffeine (or ‘theine’ as it’s called here) of all teas, and wondered why when I drank it in the evening I was waking up in the night with a racing brain!
I like the sound of making my own peach syrup and will give this a try.
Thank you for sharing! We hope you enjoy this version, Lucy! xo
Kate Rich says
As far as i can tell you don’t look like you peel the peaches first, but leave the skin on to make the syrup..Is this correct?
Correct! We didn’t find it was necessary to peel them.
Toula says
Hello dear
hope your doing well
kindly may i know the replacement of sugar in general ? can i use the receipt without sugar?
Hi Toula, thank you! We hope you’re doing well also! You could make it without a sweetener, but it won’t be as flavorful. If you’re okay with using less sugar or other sweeteners, you could reduce the sugar by half or maybe try honey or agave? Hope that helps!
Toula says
hello,
thank you for your reply, sure things, I am a person who cannot tolerate sugar much, recently I have been using maple syrup or agave but in small quantities, and yes don’t worry I can tolerate the nonsugar :D. I’m excited to do it, and seriously thank you so much for your efforts, you are an amazing person, keep going, cheers.
Thank you so much for your sweet words! We hope you love it! xo
Carol J breen valverde says
Could frozen or canned or canned peaches work in this recipe?
Hi Carol, we haven’t tested either, but we assume they would work! Frozen probably won’t be as flavorful and canned may be on the sweeter side. Let us know if you try it!
Rose says
Hi! Can you make this recipe ahead? How long does the brewed tea or simple syrup last in the fridge? Thanks!
Hi Rose, yes! The simple syrup will keep for up to a couple weeks and the brewed tea for a few days (both stored in the refrigerator). Hope that helps!
Jordan Peters says
How much peach tea is in one serving?
Hi! 1/10th of the full batch or ~3/4-1 cup.