Refreshing Peach Iced Tea That Tastes Like Summer in a Glass – Ready in 20 Minutes
This peach iced tea is made with real fresh peaches – blitzed into a puree and swirled into black tea. It's bright, clean, and exactly as sweet as the peaches you use. No syrup, no powder, just real fruit flavor in 20 minutes.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Large heatproof pitcher (2-quart)
- Blender or Immersion Blender
- Fine-mesh strainer (optional)
- Paring knife and cutting board
- Long spoon for stirring
Ingredients
- 4 ripe peaches (about 1½ pounds) Use the ripest you can find – they should give slightly when pressed.
- 6 cups water, divided
- 4 black tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose-leaf)
- 2 to 4 tablespoons granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes (large cubes preferred)
For serving (optional):
- Fresh mint sprigs, thin peach slices, or a few raspberries
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water: In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, drop in the tea bags, and let steep for exactly 5 minutes. Do not over-steep or the tea will become bitter. The tea should be a deep amber color.
- While tea steeps, prep the peaches: Wash peaches, cut in half, remove pits. No need to peel. Roughly chop into chunks and transfer to a blender.
- Blitz the peaches: Add 2 cups warm water and 2 tablespoons sugar to the blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Add lemon juice and pulse once. Taste and add more sugar if needed, blending again.
- Combine: Remove tea bags (do not squeeze). Pour warm tea into a pitcher, then pour in the peach puree. Stir well – the color will shift to a hazy sunset orange.
- Serve or chill: For immediate serving, fill glasses with ice and pour tea over. To chill, let mixture cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Flavor improves after resting.
- Garnish and serve: Drop a mint sprig into each glass and float a thin peach slice on top. The slice releases more peach aroma as you sip, enhancing the fruit flavor.
Notes
Storage: Keep in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir before serving as puree settles. The flavor mellows but stays delicious.
Make it a cocktail: Add 1 ounce bourbon or vodka per glass for an easy summer happy hour.
Substitutions: Use frozen peaches (1½ pounds, no sugar added) when fresh aren't available – straight from freezer to blender. For a sweeter option, dissolve honey in the warm tea (1-2 tablespoons). For a caffeine-free version, use hibiscus or rooibos tea.
Tip: Add sugar to the peach puree, not the finished tea, to ensure even sweetness. If you prefer a smoother drink, strain the final tea through a fine-mesh strainer before serving.