Home » Dessert » Sweet Peach Iced Tea: Homemade, Easy and Delicious!

Sweet Peach Iced Tea: Homemade, Easy and Delicious!

Last Updated on March 9, 2025 by Souhail

There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a tall glass of sweet peach iced tea on a warm day. With its perfect balance of juicy peaches and black tea, this drink is a Southern classic that brings summer vibes all year round. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, lounging by the pool, or simply craving a flavorful homemade iced tea, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.

What makes this sweet peach iced tea so irresistible? It combines the rich, earthy taste of brewed black tea with the natural sweetness of ripe peaches and a hint of honey or sugar. The result is a smooth, fruity, and utterly refreshing beverage that will make you ditch store-bought versions for good. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients!

Why This Recipe Works

This sweet peach iced tea recipe stands out because it perfectly balances flavors while allowing for plenty of customization. Here’s why you’ll love it:

  • Fresh and Natural Flavor: Unlike bottled teas that often contain artificial peach flavoring, this recipe uses real peaches, ensuring an authentic and vibrant taste.
  • Adjustable Sweetness: You control the sugar or sweetener, making it as light or indulgent as you prefer.
  • Perfectly Brewed Tea: A foolproof method for making a smooth and robust black tea base without any bitterness.
  • Versatile and Customizable: Swap black tea for green tea, add herbs like mint, or even make it into a sparkling peach iced tea.

If you’re a fan of Southern-style sweet tea or just love peach-flavored drinks, this homemade peach iced tea is going to become your new favorite summer refreshment!

Ingredients Breakdown

To make the perfect sweet peach iced tea, you’ll need just a handful of fresh, flavorful ingredients:

For the Peach Syrup:

  • 3 large ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced: The riper the peaches, the sweeter and more flavorful your syrup will be.
  • ½ cup granulated sugar: Adjust to taste or swap for honey, agave, or a sugar substitute.
  • 1 cup water: Helps create a smooth, pourable peach syrup.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Enhances the peach flavor and keeps the syrup bright.

And For the Tea Base:

  • 4 black tea bags: Classic black tea like English Breakfast or Luzianne works best, but green tea or white tea are great alternatives.
  • 4 cups boiling water: Ensures proper tea extraction.
  • 2 cups cold water: Helps cool the tea faster.

For Serving:

  • Ice cubes: A must for a refreshing iced tea.
  • Fresh peach slices: Optional, but adds a beautiful garnish.
  • Fresh mint leaves: For a touch of freshness.
  • Lemon wedges: Optional, but adds a subtle tangy contrast.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1: Make the Peach Syrup (10 minutes)

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the sliced peaches, sugar, and 1 cup of water.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the peaches soften and the sugar dissolves (about 5-7 minutes).
  3. Use a fork or potato masher to gently mash the peaches, releasing their juices into the syrup.
  4. Stir in the lemon juice, then remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl or jar, pressing the peaches to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
Tip: If you like a more intense peach flavor, don’t strain the syrup and leave the mashed peaches in the tea!

2: Brew the Tea (5 minutes + cooling time)

  1. In a heatproof pitcher or large pot, steep the tea bags in 4 cups of boiling water for about 5 minutes.
  2. Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.
  3. Add 2 cups of cold water to dilute the tea and speed up cooling.
Tip: To prevent bitterness, avoid over-steeping the tea! Five minutes is the perfect sweet spot.

3: Assemble the Iced Tea

  1. Pour the peach syrup into the brewed tea and stir well to combine.
  2. Refrigerate the tea for at least 1 hour, or until chilled.
  3. When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the sweet peach iced tea over the top.
  4. Garnish with fresh peach slices, mint leaves, or a lemon wedge for extra flavor and a pretty presentation.

Pro Tips for Success

  • Use Fresh, Ripe Peaches: The riper they are, the sweeter and juicier your iced tea will be. If peaches are out of season, frozen peaches work too!
  • Don’t Over-Steep the Tea: Letting the tea sit too long can make it bitter. Stick to 5 minutes for the best taste.
  • Chill Before Serving: Letting the tea cool in the fridge enhances the flavors and prevents excessive ice melt.
  • Try Honey or Maple Syrup: For a more natural sweetness, swap the sugar for honey or maple syrup.

Recipe Card

Sweet Peach Iced Tea

Recipe by SimonCourse: DessertCuisine: Other world cuisineDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

A delicious and refreshing sweet peach iced tea made with fresh peaches, black tea, and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for summer!

Ingredients

  • For the Peach Syrup
  • 3 large ripe peaches, peeled and sliced

  • ½ cup granulated sugar (or honey)

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • For the Tea
  • 4 black tea bags

  • 4 cups boiling water

  • 2 cups cold water

Directions

  • Make the Peach Syrup
    In a saucepan, combine peaches, sugar, and water. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, mashing the peaches slightly.
    Stir in lemon juice and let cool for 5 minutes. Strain the syrup and set aside.
  • Brew the Tea
    Steep the tea bags in 4 cups of boiling water for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags.
    Stir in 2 cups of cold water to cool the tea.
  • Assemble the Iced Tea
    Pour the peach syrup into the tea and stir well.
    Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Serve
    Fill glasses with ice and pour the tea over it. Garnish with peach slices, mint, or lemon if desired.

Notes

  • For a sparkling version, replace the cold water with sparkling water!

FAQs About Sweet Peach Iced Tea

How can I make peach iced tea without sugar?

You can replace sugar with honey, agave syrup, or a sugar substitute like stevia. For a naturally sweet version, use extra ripe peaches!

Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?

Yes! Frozen peaches work just as well. Simply thaw them before making the syrup, or cook them straight from frozen.

What’s the best tea for peach iced tea?

Black tea is the most common choice, but green tea, white tea, or even herbal teas (like hibiscus) work beautifully with peaches.

Can I make peach iced tea ahead of time?

Absolutely! Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just give it a good stir before serving.

How do I keep iced tea from getting bitter?

Avoid over-steeping the tea. Brew for only 5 minutes and don’t squeeze the tea bags, as this releases bitter tannins.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like a refreshing glass of Sweet Peach Iced Tea to cool you down on a warm day. With its perfect balance of rich black tea and naturally sweet peaches, this homemade version is far superior to any store-bought option. Plus, it’s easily customizable—whether you prefer a fizzy twist, a herbal variation, or even a splash of bourbon for an adult treat.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like these other delicious homemade drinks:

Now, it’s your turn! Have you tried making Sweet Peach Iced Tea at home? Do you have a favorite variation? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share your beautiful tea creations.