Ingredients:

  • 4 large ripe peaches, sliced (no stone)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small pinch of salt
  • 6 high-quality black tea bags (or 6 Tbsp loose leaf)
  • 6 cups filtered boiling water (slightly cooled)
  • Ice cubes (for serving)
  • Peach slices & mint sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place the sliced peaches, sugar, 1 cup of filtered water, and the salt into a medium saucepan.
  2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, or until the peaches are very soft and slightly broken down.
  3. Muddle & Cook: Using a potato masher, gently press the peaches to release additional juices. Return to a low simmer for 2 minutes.
  4. Strain and Chill: Pour the entire mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Press the solids firmly to extract all liquid, discarding the remaining pulp.
  5. Finish Syrup: Stir the fresh lemon juice into the strained syrup. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then place it in the fridge to chill thoroughly (at least 1 hour).
  6. Boil Water: Bring 6 cups of filtered water to a rolling boil, then allow it to sit for 30 seconds off the heat (approx. 95°C/200°F).
  7. Steep: Place the tea bags or loose leaf into a large heatproof pitcher. Pour the hot water over the tea.
  8. Timing is Key: Steep the tea for exactly 4–5 minutes for a black tea base. Do not over-steep, as this results in a cloudy, bitter iced tea.
  9. Cool Down: Promptly remove the tea bags/infuser. Allow the tea to cool on the counter for about 30 minutes, then transfer the pitcher to the fridge to chill completely (at least 1 hour).
  10. Combine: Once both the tea base and the peach syrup are thoroughly chilled, pour the entire batch of peach syrup into the pitcher of chilled tea. Stir well.
  11. Taste and Adjust: Taste the mixture. Adjust sweetness or dilution if necessary.
  12. Serve: Fill serving glasses with plenty of ice. Pour the Peach Iced Tea mixture over the ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh slice of peach and a sprig of mint.