Enjoy the sweet charm of the South with our refreshing Southern Peach Tea recipe! Made with ripe peaches, black tea, and a hint of sweetness, this delightful drink is perfect for sipping on lazy summer afternoons or entertaining guests at your next backyard barbecue.
Why You Will Love It
- Refreshing: Southern peach tea has a sweet and fruity flavor profile that many people find refreshing, especially on a hot day. The combination of the tea and the sweetness of ripe peaches creates a delicious drink.
- Regional Tradition: In Southern states like Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama, peach tea is a beloved regional specialty.
- Seasonal Ingredients: Peaches are often in season during the summer months. Making this tea can be a way to take advantage of fresh, ripe peaches when they are at their peak flavor.
- Variety: Experimenting with different flavors and ingredients can be part of the enjoyment of making and drinking sweet tea.
- Entertaining: This is a great choice to serve at social gatherings, barbecues, picnics, or other events.
What Type of Peaches to Use
It’s best to use ripe but firm peaches. Look for peaches that are fragrant and yield slightly to gentle pressure, indicating ripeness. You’ll want to avoid overly soft or mushy peaches, as they may become too delicate and fall apart on the grill.
How to Sweeten it
Classic sweet tea gets it’s flavor from regular granulated sugar. You can also use honey, pure maple syrup, or agave nectar if you wish. Always sweeten the drink to suit your taste. Begin by adding a small amount of sweetener to your tea. You can always add more later if needed, but it’s harder to reduce sweetness once it’s added.
After adding the initial amount of sweetener, taste your peach tea. Pay attention to the level of sweetness and how it balances with the other flavors. If it’s not sweet enough for your liking, gradually add more sweetener in small increments.
How to Make Southern Peach Tea
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a saucepan or pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil.
- Once the water reaches a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the tea bags to the hot water and let them steep.
- Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.
- In a saucepan or pot, combine 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 1/2 cup of sweetener or sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar or sweetener is completely dissolved.
- Add the peaches. Mash the peaches into the liquid.
- Once cooled, add the tea to a pitcher.
- Use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth and strain the peach simple syrup mixture into a cup/bowl/or directly into the pitcher.
- Stir to combine. Taste repeatedly and adjust the sweetness as needed to suit your taste.
- Serve.
How to Store it
It should be stored in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Transfer the tea to a clean, airtight container, such as a pitcher or glass bottle, and seal it tightly before placing it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, peach tea can typically last for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
More Peach Recipes
Smoked Peaches
Grilled Peaches
Sugar Free Peach Cobbler
Peach Bellini
Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
More Drink Recipes
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Jamaican Rum Punch
Jamaican Lemonade
Homemade Lemonade
Sorrel
Southern Peach Tea
Ingredients
- 12 cups water
- 6 teabags
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups sugar or sweetener
- 2-3 fresh peaches Diced into smaller chunks; 2-3 cups if using frozen.
Instructions
- In a saucepan or pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil.
- Once the water reaches a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the tea bags to the hot water and let them steep for about 5-7 minutes, depending on your preference for tea strength. You can adjust the steeping time to achieve the desired strength of tea.
- Remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.
- In a saucepan or pot, combine 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 1/2 cup of sweetener or sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar or sweetener is completely dissolved.
- Add the peaches. Mash the peaches into the liquid. Allow the peaches to soften (still at medium heat) and mix in with the syrup for about 10-15 minutes for ultimate flavor.
- Once cooled, add the tea to a pitcher.
- Use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth and strain the peach simple syrup mixture into a cup/bowl/or directly into the pitcher.
- Stir to combine. Taste repeatedly and adjust the sweetness as needed to suit your taste.
- Serve.