Description
Peach Sweet Tea is the perfect refreshing beverage to enjoy on a hot summer day or any time you crave a sweet, fruity drink. This Southern classic blends freshly brewed black tea with the natural sweetness of ripe peaches, creating a smooth, satisfying drink. Easy to make and customizable, Peach Sweet Tea is perfect for family gatherings, BBQs, or simply relaxing with a cold, fruity beverage.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
-
4 black tea bags (family-sized tea bags work best)
-
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen peaches (peeled and chopped)
-
¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
-
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for a hint of citrus)
-
Ice
-
Fresh peach slices or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
the Tea:
-
Boil the Water:
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. -
Steep the Tea:
Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat and add the black tea bags. Let the tea steep for 5-7 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. For a stronger flavor, steep it a bit longer. -
Sweeten the Tea:
After removing the tea bags, stir in ¾ cup of granulated sugar while the tea is still warm, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely. Set the tea aside to cool to room temperature.
Make the Peach Syrup:
-
Cook the Peaches:
In a small saucepan, combine the chopped peaches and ½ cup of water. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the peaches soften and release their juices. -
Mash the Peaches:
Once the peaches are soft, mash them with a potato masher or a spoon to release even more juice. Continue to simmer for another 3-5 minutes. -
Strain the Peach Mixture:
Strain the peach mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard the solids and set the peach syrup aside.
Combine and Serve:
-
Mix the Tea and Peach Syrup:
Once the tea has cooled, pour the peach syrup into the tea and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more sugar or syrup. -
Chill the Tea:
Refrigerate the peach sweet tea for at least 1-2 hours to chill, or add ice directly to the tea for an instant cool-down. -
Serve:
Serve the Peach Sweet Tea over ice and garnish with fresh peach slices or mint leaves if desired.
Enjoy: Sip and relax with your refreshing, homemade Peach Sweet Tea! It’s perfect for sipping on a sunny day or paired with a Southern meal.
Notes
Less Sweet Version: Reduce the amount of sugar to your desired sweetness. You can also substitute the granulated sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or stevia.Spicy Peach Tea: Add a few slices of fresh ginger or a pinch of cayenne pepper to give your tea a little kick.Mint Peach Tea: For a refreshing minty twist, add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the tea while it’s cooling, or garnish with mint leaves before serving.Peach Lemonade: Add a little lemon juice to the peach syrup for a tart contrast to the sweetness, or mix equal parts lemonade and peach tea for a hybrid drink.
