Description
This Southern Fresh Peach Sweet Tea combines the refreshing depth of organic raspberry leaf tea with the natural sweetness of homemade peach syrup. Perfect for hot days, this iced tea recipe is easy to prepare and can be made with fresh or frozen peaches, offering a delightful Southern twist on a classic beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Iced Tea
- 4 cups filtered water
- 4 organic raspberry leaf tea bags
- 3-4 cups ice
For the Peach Syrup
- 1 ½ cups filtered water
- 3 medium-size organic peaches, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup mild and light colored honey
Instructions
- Steep the Tea: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups filtered water to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and hang the 4 raspberry leaf tea bags in the water, with the tags hanging over the side. Cover and steep for 15 minutes.
- Extract Tea: Remove lid, gently squeeze tea bags to release flavor, then discard bags. Pour the tea into a heat-safe large pitcher or 64 oz mason jar. Allow to cool.
- Prepare Peach Syrup: In the same saucepan, combine 1 ½ cups water, sliced peaches, and honey. Heat over medium-high until boiling, then reduce to low and simmer for 7 minutes. At 5 minutes, mash peaches with a wooden spoon or potato masher.
- Strain Syrup: Pour peach mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe glass measuring cup, pressing solids to extract juice. Discard solids. Let syrup cool for 15 minutes.
- Assemble Iced Tea: Stir cooled peach syrup into cooled tea. Add ice either directly into the tea or into individual glasses. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing Southern flavor.
Notes
- You will need a large glass pitcher or 64-ounce mason jar, medium saucepan, wooden spoon or potato masher, fine mesh strainer, and a 2-cup glass measuring cup.
- Cold Brew Option: Steep tea bags in cold water overnight in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours as an alternative to hot steeping.
- Sweetness Adjustment: Increase honey to ⅓ cup for sweeter tea if desired.
- Frozen Peaches: If substituting, thaw to room temperature first and consider adding extra honey as frozen peaches are less sweet.
- Storage: Keep peach tea refrigerated, covered, for up to 3 days. Avoid storing with ice to maintain flavor strength.
- Tea Substitute: Use 1 tablespoon loose red raspberry leaf tea per tea bag and steep as directed.
- Homemade Ice Cubes: Use filtered water ice trays for best clarity and taste.
- Recipe can be doubled for larger batches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
