Refreshing Southern Sweet Peach Iced Tea with Fresh Mint
A quick and easy Southern classic iced tea recipe blending fresh peaches and mint for a perfectly balanced, refreshing summer drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 black tea bags
- 2 large ripe fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 10–12 fresh mint leaves, washed and gently bruised
- ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar, adjust to taste
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) water, divided between boiling and cold
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups (950 ml) of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan.
- Remove from heat and steep 4 black tea bags for 5-7 minutes until rich amber color.
- While tea is warm, stir in ½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar until dissolved.
- Peel, pit, and slice peaches. Gently bruise mint leaves to release oils.
- In a large pitcher, add sliced peaches and bruised mint leaves.
- Pour sweetened tea over peaches and mint, then add 2 cups (475 ml) cold water to dilute.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2-3 hours, to let flavors meld.
- Before serving, gently stir the tea. Optionally strain out peach slices and mint leaves.
- Serve over ice in tall glasses, garnished with fresh mint sprigs or peach slices.
Notes
Do not over-steep tea to avoid bitterness; gently bruise mint leaves to release oils without bitterness; adjust sweetness after chilling as cold dulls sweetness perception; mash some peach slices before chilling for extra flavor but avoid cloudiness; can substitute sugar with honey or agave but may affect clarity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: sweet tea, peach iced tea, fresh mint, summer drink, Southern recipe, iced tea recipe, refreshing beverage