Peach Iced Green Tea
A bright, refreshing homemade iced tea infusing the delicate flavor of green tea with sweet, aromatic peaches and a hint of honey. Perfect for hot days and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 green tea bags or 4 teaspoons loose-leaf green tea
- 6 cups water divided
- 3 ripe peaches sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 2-3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish
- Ice cubes for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the peaches by washing thoroughly, removing pits, and slicing them into ½-inch wedges. No need to peel them—the skin adds beautiful color and extra flavor.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a gentle simmer in a medium saucepan (not boiling—about 175°F/80°C is ideal for green tea to prevent bitterness).
- Remove the water from heat and add the green tea bags. Let steep for exactly 3-4 minutes—any longer and the tea may become bitter.
- Remove the tea bags and add the sliced peaches to the hot tea. Using a wooden spoon, gently press the peaches to release their juices.
- Add honey or maple syrup while the mixture is still warm, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Allow the peach-tea mixture to cool for about 15 minutes at room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to fully infuse the flavors.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing gently on the peaches to extract maximum flavor.
- Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and lemon juice to the pitcher, stirring to combine.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed by adding more honey or maple syrup.
- Serve over ice in tall glasses, garnished with fresh peach slices and mint leaves if desired.
Notes
- For the best flavor, choose peaches that are fragrant and yield slightly to gentle pressure—they should be ripe but not mushy.
- If using loose-leaf tea, increase steeping time by 1 minute and use a fine strainer for removal.
- You can make this recipe ahead of time—it keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a stronger peach flavor, reserve some of the strained peach pulp and add a spoonful to each glass before serving.
- The tea will appear cloudy at first but will clear as it chills—this is perfectly normal.