Description
This Southern Peach Tea recipe combines the rich, robust flavors of black tea with the natural sweetness of ripe peaches and a hint of tart lemon juice. Perfectly sweetened and served iced, it’s a refreshing and classic beverage ideal for hot summer days or any time you need a cool, fruity pick-me-up.
Ingredients
Scale
Tea Base
- 4 black tea bags
- 6 cups boiling water
Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Fruit and Flavor
- 2 medium ripe peaches, pitted and diced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
To Serve
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Peach slices for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Peach Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and add the diced peaches. Let the mixture steep for about 15 minutes to infuse the syrup with peach flavor.
- Brew the Tea: Place the black tea bags in a large heatproof pitcher. Pour 6 cups of boiling water over the tea bags and let steep for 5-7 minutes until the tea is strong and aromatic. Remove the tea bags and discard.
- Strain the Syrup: Strain the peach syrup through a fine mesh sieve into the brewed tea to remove the peach pieces, pressing lightly to extract all the flavor.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in 1/4 cup lemon juice to balance the sweetness with a refreshing tartness.
- Chill and Serve: Add plenty of ice cubes to the tea to chill it thoroughly. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and peach slices for an inviting presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy cold.
Notes
- Use ripe, fragrant peaches for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- You can adjust the sugar quantity in the syrup based on your desired level of sweetness.
- For a stronger tea flavor, steep the tea bags longer, but avoid bitterness by not exceeding 8 minutes.
- This tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a sparkling version, substitute half of the water with sparkling water when serving.
Keywords: Southern peach tea, iced tea, peach syrup, summer drinks, refreshing beverages