Southern Fresh Peach Iced Tea
“Southern, fresh peach iced tea made with fresh, homemade peach syrup. Refreshing, sweet ice tea, perfect for those hot summer day!”
Summer is quickly coming to an end (yeaaaaah!!! I’m a fall fanatic!) but I couldn’t let this season pass without making some good ol fresh, southern peach iced tea!
What is it about making fresh fruit sweet teas that makes me feel all domestic and pioneerish? Like I’m living off the land or something. I know, far stretch. Fresh peach iced tea made with fresh peach syrup is a mini labor of love though compared to making plain sweet tea and it’s so worth!
Hey I’m a classic sweet tea girl through and through! I prefer not to have a lot of bells and whistles when it comes to my sweet tea. However during the summer I like to take advantage of summers bounty by incorporating fresh fruit, like raspberries or peaches!
Fresh peach iced tea is my second favorite! It’s delicious and so refreshing, especially if you’re a peach lover like myself.
I can sit out on the back porch with a good book, a gentle breeze and a glass of fresh peach iced tea and be just as happy as a lark. Only that never happens in real life around here. Not without the boys calling my name a million times. A girl can dream though.
Just promise me that you will serve this super cold and let it sit for a few hours to really let those juicy peach flavors do their thing ok? Promise?
Watch me make this Southern Fresh Peach Iced Tea from start to finish!
Get the Recipe: Southern Fresh Peach Iced Tea
Ingredients
- 3 large fresh peaches, diced into small slices or cubes
- 5 cups water, divided (you'll also need more water to fill the pitcher)
- 2 cups granulated sugar + more if more sweetness is desired
- zest of 1 lemon, optional
- 2-3 family-size tea bags, I normally use 3
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add peaches, 2 cups water, 2 cups sugar and lemon zest if using.
- Bring to a light simmer and simmer covered until peaches are soft and the peach skins has lost it's dark peachy color, about 15-20 minutes.
- With a potato masher, mash the peaches to release more of the juice and continue simmering for about 10 more minutes.
- Strain the peach mixture through a mesh strainer and discard the solids. (You'll have about 3 to 3 1/2 cups of peach syrup) Set aside.
- Boil 3 cups of water.
- Place tea bags in water and let them steep for about 10-15 minutes and then discard tea bags.
- Add tea to a large pitcher, stir in the peach syrup, gradually add in water a cup at a time. (Be sure to taste the mixture as you increase the water until you find your perfect sweetness preference.)
- If you find that your tea is not sweet enough add in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of sugar. If it's too sweet increase the water(please note the sweetness will increase as it sits in the fridge)
- Refrigerate until cold.
- Stir before serving and pour over ice to serve.
- Garnish with mint and fresh peach slices if desired.
How much does this tecipe make at one set of instructions
I love hearing your dialogue with just that sweet little hint of southern. I’m going to try this with frozen peaches because I can’t wait till next summer for the fresh ones. Thank you. (Also have your oven baked ribs recipe cooking in the oven right now…)
Yummy peach tea! I have a couple of ideas that you can use the leftover strained peaches for. You can use them as an ice cream topping, as a topping on a cake, or you can use on top of your breakfast oatmeal. 🙂
How much does this make?
You’re my ‘fall fanatic’ soul sister – I love the fall and can not wait for the summer heat to go ba-byes and usher in that crisp beautiful autumn air…
Delicious! Best peach tea I’ve ever tasted.