Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s vibrant and full of real peach flavor — thanks to fresh peaches steeped in sweet syrup.

  • Easy to adapt — you can control the sweetness, the strength of the tea, and how much syrup each person uses.

  • Make‑ahead friendly — brew the tea and make the syrup in advance, then serve over ice with fresh slices for a polished yet simple drink.

  • Versatile for parties or everyday use. Whether you serve it straight or dress it up with garnishes, it hits the mark.

Ingredients

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

  • cane sugar

  • water

  • ripe peaches (thinly sliced)

Tea

  • loose‑leaf black tea or tea bags (depending on strength preference)

  • filtered water

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, water, and sliced peaches to a boil. Lower the heat and stir/crush the peaches to release their flavor.

  2. Once the sugar is dissolved, cover the pan, remove it from heat, and let it steep for about 25‑30 minutes.

  3. While the syrup is steeping, brew your black tea with the amount of water indicated (or as preferred) and steep according to strength (do not over‑steep to avoid bitterness).

  4. Remove the tea bags or strain the loose‑leaf tea, then transfer the brewed tea into a pitcher and refrigerate until cool.

  5. After the syrup is finished, strain it through a fine mesh to remove the peach solids (you can reserve the peaches for another use).

  6. To serve: either mix the syrup fully into the tea or leave it separate so each person can add their preferred amount. Serve the tea over ice and add fresh peach slices for garnish.

  7. The original recipe yields about 10 servings (with ice and peach slices included).

Servings and timing

  • Prep Time: approx. 10 minutes

  • Cook/Steep Time: approx. 40 minutes

  • Total Time: approx. 50 minutes

  • Servings: about 10 (with ice and peaches)

Variations

  • Use green tea or herbal tea instead of black tea for a lighter flavor profile.

  • Swap cane sugar in the syrup for honey, agave, or maple syrup to reduce refined sugar (adjust to taste).

  • Add a splash of lemon or lime juice when serving to introduce a bright citrusy contrast.

  • Make it sparkling by substituting part of the brewed tea with sparkling water just before serving.

  • Infuse herbs such as mint or basil into the syrup or tea for an extra aromatic twist.

Storage/Reheating

  • The brewed tea and the peach simple syrup can be stored separately in the refrigerator. The syrup will keep for up to around 1‑2 weeks; the brewed tea will keep for a few days (while still fresh) when refrigerated.

  • To serve later, keep the tea chilled, then add ice, syrup (to taste), and fresh peach slices at serving time. There’s no reheating necessary — this is best enjoyed cold.

FAQs

What type of peaches should I use?

Ripe, fragrant peaches are best, as they’ll give the most flavor. If peaches are underripe or lack aroma, the syrup won’t be as punchy.

Do I need to peel the peaches for the syrup?

No — you can leave the skins on. The recipe does not require peeling and the skins add flavor and color.

Can I make this recipe with tea bags instead of loose leaf?

Yes — tea bags work fine. Use the equivalent quantity as indicated (e.g., 3‑4 tea bags) and steep for the appropriate time to avoid bitterness.

Can I reduce the sugar in the syrup?

Yes — you can cut the sugar by half or use alternative sweeteners like honey or agave, but note the flavor will be less intensely sweet and the peach taste may be less pronounced.

Can I use frozen or canned peaches for the syrup?

Possibly — frozen or canned peaches may work, but frozen may lack the full flavor of fresh, and canned peaches often come in syrup which may affect sweetness and texture.

How long can I store the syrup and brewed tea in the fridge?

The syrup: up to about 1‑2 weeks refrigerated. The brewed tea: a few days, as long as it’s kept cold and covered.

How strong should I make the tea?

Use less tea for a lighter flavor, more tea for a stronger brew. Avoid steeping too long (more than ~4‑5 minutes for bags; adjust for loose leaf) to prevent bitterness.

How do I serve this for a party?

Brew the tea ahead, make the syrup ahead, refrigerate both. Set out a pitcher of tea, a container of syrup (so guests can add as desired), ice, and fresh peach slices. Let guests customise their sweetness.

Can I turn this into a pitcher cocktail or adult version?

Yes — once you have the base tea and syrup, you can add a splash of a spirit (such as vodka or bourbon) to individual glasses or to a batch pitcher if desired.

What about ice dilution? Won’t it water down the flavor?

It can. To minimise dilution, you can chill the tea and syrup thoroughly before adding ice, and consider using large ice cubes or ice blocks that melt slower. You can also serve the tea slightly stronger initially to account for ice melt.

Conclusion

This peach iced tea offers a delightful balance of sweet, fruity peaches and refreshing brewed tea — perfect for warm days, backyard gatherings, or simply a tasteful beverage to elevate your afternoon. With a homemade syrup and chilled tea ready ahead of time, it’s both impressive and doable. Enjoy preparing this for yourself or sharing with friends, and relish the peachy refreshment.

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Perfect Peach Iced Tea

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  • Author: Mia
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

A refreshing and naturally sweetened peach iced tea made with fresh peaches, black tea, and a touch of maple syrup. Perfect for hot summer days!

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water, divided
  • 3 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup (or to taste)
  • 3 black tea bags (or 1 Tbsp loose-leaf black tea)
  • Ice (for serving)
  • Fresh peach slices and mint (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, add 3 cups of water and the sliced peaches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until peaches are soft and fragrant.
  2. Use a potato masher or spoon to mash the peaches and release their juices. Then strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the pulp or save it for smoothies.
  3. Stir the maple syrup into the peach juice while it’s still warm. Set aside to cool.
  4. Bring the remaining 3 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, and steep the tea bags for 4-5 minutes (or longer for a stronger brew). Remove tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.
  5. Combine the brewed tea and peach syrup in a large pitcher. Stir well and refrigerate until cold.
  6. Serve over ice with optional peach slices and mint for garnish.

Notes

  • Use ripe, in-season peaches for the best flavor.
  • You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup.
  • Try green tea or herbal tea as alternatives to black tea.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 50
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 5mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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