Name: My Favorite Sweet Peach Iced Tea
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 5 cups water (divided); 1 family size tea bag (your favorite brand, classic black tea works well); 0.75 cup sugar (granulated sugar works perfectly); 0.75 cup honey (adds depth and floral notes); 2 cups frozen peaches (thawed and pureed (or 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced)); 2 cups frozen peaches (for serving (use instead of ice))

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Introduction

Oh, friend, let me tell you about a drink that tastes like sunshine in a glass. Remember those lazy summer afternoons, maybe sitting on a porch swing or just chilling in the backyard, feeling the warm breeze? This Sweet Peach Iced Tea takes me right back there every single time. It’s not just a drink; it’s a feeling. And the best part? It’s ridiculously easy to whip up, comes together super fast, and trust me, everyone who sips it will be begging for the recipe. It’s pure, peachy perfection!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, from start to finish, you can have this ready in under 30 minutes (plus chilling time, but that’s hands-off!).
Easy: No fancy footwork here. If you can boil water and stir, you can make this tea.
Giftable: Pour it into a pretty bottle and give it to a friend! It’s a thoughtful homemade treat.
Crowd-pleasing: Peaches and sweet tea? Name a better duo for making people happy. I’ll wait.

Ingredients

5 cups water, divided: Just good old water! You’ll use some for brewing tea and some for making that glorious peach syrup.
1 family size tea bag: Your favorite brand is perfect. A classic black tea works wonderfully as a base for the peach flavor.
¾ cup sugar: Granulated sugar works perfectly to sweeten things up.
¾ cup honey: Honey adds a beautiful depth and floral note that complements the peaches so well. It’s the dream team of sweeteners with sugar here.
2 cups frozen peaches, thawed and pureed (or 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced): This is where the magic happens! Thawed frozen peaches are super convenient, or if peaches are in season, fresh ones work just as beautifully. We’re blending these babies into a smooth puree for maximum peach flavor infusion.
2 cups frozen peaches for serving: This is my secret weapon! Instead of ice cubes that water down your tea, use frozen peach slices. They keep your drink cold and add even more peachy goodness as they thaw slightly. If using fresh, slice them and pop them in the freezer on a parchment-lined tray beforehand.

How to Make It

Okay, let’s get this peachy party started! Follow these simple steps:

First, grab a saucepan. Pour 3 cups of the water into it and bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

Once it’s boiling, take it off the heat and add your family size tea bag. Let it steep according to the tea package directions, usually about 5-7 minutes for a strong brew. Don’t oversteep, or your tea might get bitter!

While your tea is steeping, grab another medium saucepan. Pour in the remaining 2 cups of water.

Add the ¾ cup sugar, ¾ cup honey, and the 2 cups of pureed peaches (or the fresh sliced peaches if you’re using those and planning to strain later). Stir it all together.

Place this saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the flavors have melded beautifully. This creates your concentrated peach syrup. If you used fresh slices, you can strain them out now if you prefer a smoother syrup, but I often leave them in for extra flavor!

Once your tea has steeped, remove the tea bag. Pour the hot tea into a large pitcher.

Carefully pour the hot peach syrup mixture into the pitcher with the tea. Stir it all together until it’s well combined.

Now for the hardest part: patience! Pop the pitcher into the refrigerator and let it chill completely. This usually takes at least 2-3 hours, but the colder it is, the more refreshing it will be. I often make it the night before.

When you’re ready to serve, grab some glasses. Fill them with those wonderful frozen peach slices instead of ice.

Pour your perfectly chilled Sweet Peach Iced Tea over the frozen peaches and get ready to enjoy pure bliss!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling adventurous? Here are a few ways to switch things up:

Sweeteners: You could play with the sugar and honey ratio, or try using agave or maple syrup for a different flavor profile. Just taste and adjust!
Tea Type: While black tea is classic, try it with green tea for a lighter flavor, or even a fruity herbal tea blend that complements peaches.
Add Other Fruits: Muddle in some fresh raspberries or blueberries when you make the peach syrup for a peach-berry twist. A squeeze of lemon juice right before serving adds a lovely brightness.
Fresh Herbs: Adding a few sprigs of fresh mint or basil to the syrup as it simmers can infuse a really interesting, refreshing note. Remove them before chilling.
Make it a Cocktail: For the adults, a splash of bourbon, rum, or vodka turns this into a fantastic summer sipper!

Tips for Success

Don’t Oversteep: Bitter tea is not what we’re going for! Stick to the recommended steeping time for your tea bag.
Use Good Water: Just like coffee, the quality of your water can affect the taste of your tea.
Really Chill It: Iced tea is best when it’s properly cold. Don’t rush the chilling time.
Adjust Sweetness: This recipe gives you a wonderfully sweet tea, but feel free to adjust the sugar and honey amounts to your preference. You can always add more sweetener to a glass, but you can’t take it away!
Frozen Peaches are Key for Serving: Using frozen peaches instead of ice is a game-changer. No watered-down tea here!

How to Store It

Your Sweet Peach Iced Tea will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Make sure it’s stored in a covered pitcher or container to keep it fresh. Give it a little stir before serving, as some of the peach puree might settle at the bottom.

FAQs

Q: Can I use canned peaches? A: While fresh or frozen peaches give the best flavor, you could use canned, just make sure they are packed in juice, not heavy syrup, and drain them well before pureeing. You might need to adjust the added sugar/honey.
Q: Do I have to strain the peach syrup? A: Nope! I often leave the puree/small bits of peaches in for a thicker, pulpier tea with even more flavor. It’s totally up to your texture preference.
Q: Can I make a big batch for a party? A: Absolutely! This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. Just use a larger pot and pitcher.
Q: Why use both sugar and honey? A: Sugar provides clean sweetness, while honey adds a deeper, more complex flavor that pairs wonderfully with peaches. The combination creates a richer profile than using just one.

My Favorite Sweet Peach Iced Tea

This Sweet Peach Iced Tea is like sunshine in a glass, perfect for lazy summer afternoons. It's easy to whip up, comes together super fast, and is a crowd-pleasing, peachy perfection.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Equipment

Saucepans One large, one medium
Large pitcher
Glasses

Ingredients

5 cups water divided
1 family size tea bag your favorite brand, classic black tea works well
0.75 cup sugar granulated sugar works perfectly
0.75 cup honey adds depth and floral notes
2 cups frozen peaches thawed and pureed (or 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced)
2 cups frozen peaches for serving (use instead of ice)

Instructions

First, grab a saucepan. Pour 3 cups of the water into it and bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
Once it's boiling, take it off the heat and add your family size tea bag. Let it steep according to the tea package directions, usually about 5-7 minutes for a strong brew. Don't oversteep, or your tea might get bitter!
While your tea is steeping, grab another medium saucepan. Pour in the remaining 2 cups of water.
Add the ¾ cup sugar, ¾ cup honey, and the 2 cups of pureed peaches (or the fresh sliced peaches if you're using those and planning to strain later). Stir it all together.
Place this saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the flavors have melded beautifully. This creates your concentrated peach syrup. If you used fresh slices, you can strain them out now if you prefer a smoother syrup, but I often leave them in for extra flavor!
Once your tea has steeped, remove the tea bag. Pour the hot tea into a large pitcher.
Carefully pour the hot peach syrup mixture into the pitcher with the tea. Stir it all together until it's well combined.
Now for the hardest part: patience! Pop the pitcher into the refrigerator and let it chill completely. This usually takes at least 2-3 hours, but the colder it is, the more refreshing it will be. I often make it the night before.
When you're ready to serve, grab some glasses. Fill them with those wonderful frozen peach slices instead of ice.
Pour your perfectly chilled Sweet Peach Iced Tea over the frozen peaches and get ready to enjoy pure bliss!

Notes

Your Sweet Peach Iced Tea will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in a covered pitcher or container. Give it a little stir before serving, as some of the peach puree might settle at the bottom.