Peach sweet tea is a refreshing beverage made with freshly brewed black tea and homemade peach simple syrup. This fruity iced tea is the perfect drink to cool off on a hot summer day!
It's no secret that we love sweet tea in the South and this fruity variation is one of my family's favorite ways to have it. I love to add all kinds of fresh fruit to iced tea and fresh, juicy peaches really add something special to this recipe.
For more refreshing beverages, check out our Fresh Peach Lemonade and Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea recipes next!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- So refreshing and delicious. Freshly brewed black tea and homemade peach simple syrup are a magical combination!
- Perfect beverage for summer cookouts and barbecues. Serve this tasty peach sweet tea at your next cookout to perfectly round out your barbecue meal!
- Can easily be modified to serve a crowd. Simply double or even triple this recipe and grab a large beverage dispenser for larger gatherings.
Important Ingredient Notes
A complete list of ingredients with measurements and detailed recipe instructions can be found in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Black tea. Southern sweet tea is typically made with black tea. While you may use many different varieties of loose-leaf or bagged tea, many Southerners prefer Luzianne or Lipton tea bags.
- Peaches. Choose fresh peaches that are ripe and give slightly when gently squeezed. Very hard peaches are not yet ripe and have a bitter flavor while soft, mushy peaches are past their prime.
- Baking soda. This optional ingredient is a trick that many Southerners have used for decades to neutralize the bitterness of the tannins in black tea and to give their sweet tea a smoother flavor.
How to Make Peach Sweet Tea
- Make the peach simple syrup. Bring the peaches, sugar, and water to a boil then reduce to a simmer until the peaches are tender. Allow the syrup to cool and infuse for about an hour then strain into a container.
- Brew the tea. Steep 4 family-sized tea bags in boiling hot water for 10 minutes, then discard the tea bags.
- Combine the ingredients. Combine the cooled peach syrup, freshly brewed tea, and baking soda in a large pitcher and top with four cups of cold water. Give the tea a good stir and pour over ice.
Variations and Substitutions
The wonderful thing about this peach sweet tea recipe is that you can substitute a number of different fruits if peaches aren't in season. Try making this sweet tea with some of the following:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Raspberries
- Apricots
- Mangos
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
The tea and peach simple syrup can be made a day in advance and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to serve. However, do not add the sugar or mix the ingredients until ready to serve.
Leftover peach tea can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but fermentation could begin after a day. Always check leftover freshly brewed tea for an "off" or sour smell before consuming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Baking soda neutralizes the tannins in black tea, giving it a smoother flavor.
Black tea is the best kind of tea to make sweet tea with. Luzianne or Lipton tea bags are the most popular brands for sweet tea.
Absolutely! Two cups of frozen peaches can be substituted for fresh peaches. Either thaw the peaches first or allow them to simmer for about 5-10 minutes longer with the sugar to make the simple syrup.
More Irresistible Southern Recipes You Will Love!
- Southern Fried Catfish
- Southern Chicken Salad
- Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
- Cajun Shrimp and Grits
- Southern Salmon Croquettes
- Southern Smothered Chicken
- Cajun Potato Salad
- Southern Baked Beans
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Hot Water Cornbread
- Southern Coleslaw
- Southern Hush Puppies
- Moist Lemon Bundt Cake
- Fresh Strawberry Cobbler
- Southern Peach Cobbler
📖 Recipe
Peach Sweet Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh peaches pitted and diced
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 4 family size tea bags such as Luzianne or Lipton, or 12 regular size tea bags
- 8 cups water divided, 4 cups for brewing tea, 4 cups cold water for finishing tea
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Add the peaches, granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, and cinnamon to a medium saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce the heat to medium and allow the syrup to simmer for about 10 minutes until the peaches are tender.
- Smash most of the peaches against the pot with the back of a wooden spoon. Allow the syrup to cool and infuse for about an hour.
- Meanwhile, bring four cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat, place the 4 tea bags in the water, and allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.
- Strain the peach syrup into a bowl or container through a mesh strainer, smashing the peaches against the strainer to get all the liquid out. You should get about 2 cups of syrup.
- Combine the peach syrup and tea in a large pitcher and top with 4 cups of cold water. Give the tea a good stir and serve over ice garnished with fresh peach slices, lemon slices, and mint leaves!
Notes
- Choose fresh peaches that are ripe and give slightly when gently squeezed. Very hard peaches are not yet ripe and have a bitter flavor while soft, mushy peaches are past their prime.
- An optional ingredient, baking soda is a trick that many Southerners have used for decades to neutralize the bitterness of the tannins in black tea and to give their sweet tea a smoother flavor.
- Leftover peach tea can be stored for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but fermentation could begin after a day. Always check leftover freshly brewed tea for an "off" or sour smell before consuming.
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