How to Make the Perfect Southern Peach Iced Tea
Southern American · Easy · 20 min · 6 servings
This Southern peach iced tea combines bold brewed black tea with a fresh homemade peach simple syrup for a fruity refreshing summer drink. Sweet ripe peaches and tea create the ultimate Southern sweet tea recipe perfect for picnics porch sipping and warm weather entertaining.
Why this recipe works
This Southern Peach Iced Tea recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 20 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 110 calories with 0g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 bags black tea bags
- 2 cups boiling water
- 4 cups cold water
- 2 medium fresh ripe peaches peeled and sliced
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make Peach Simple Syrup
Combine sliced peaches sugar and half cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 8 minutes until peaches break down and syrup thickens. Strain through a fine mesh strainer discarding the solids.
Step 2: Brew the Tea
Steep 4 black tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the bags carefully without squeezing then allow the brewed tea to cool for a few minutes.
Step 3: Combine and Chill
Stir the peach simple syrup into the warm brewed tea until fully combined. Add 4 cups of cold water stir well then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chilled.
Step 4: Serve
Pour over ice-filled glasses and garnish each glass with a fresh peach slice. Add a sprig of mint for extra color and aroma if desired.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fresh peaches → frozen peaches thawed work equally well when fresh are out of season
- black tea bags → peach-flavored herbal tea bags to double down on the peach flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not straining the peach syrup well leaving pulp chunks that make the tea cloudy and unpleasant
- Skipping the chilling step and serving warm tea over ice which results in a watered-down diluted drink
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 110 calories, 0g protein, 28g carbs, 0g fat, 1g fiber.
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