Summer Peach Tea

Summer Peach Tea

A refreshing homemade iced tea made with ripe summer peaches, black tea, lemon, and a touch of maple syrup. The peaches are gently simmered to draw out their flavor, then combined with freshly brewed tea and chilled over ice.

Ingredients

Makes about 4 glasses

• 3 ripe peaches, sliced
• 4 cups water
• 2 black tea bags, or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf black tea
• 1–2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• A few fresh mint leaves, optional
• Ice, for serving
• Peach slices and lemon wedges, for garnish

Preparation

1. Prepare the peaches.
   Add the sliced peaches and 2 cups of the water to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are very soft and the water has taken on their color and flavor.
2. Sweeten the peach infusion.
   Remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup. Add the lemon juice and vanilla, if using.
3. Brew the tea.
   Meanwhile, bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil. Pour over the tea bags or loose-leaf tea and steep for 4–5 minutes. Remove the tea and allow it to cool slightly.
4. Combine.
   Strain the peach mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently on the peaches to extract their juices. Combine the peach infusion with the brewed tea.
5. Chill.
   Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, or pour directly over a generous amount of ice.
6. Serve.
   Pour over ice and garnish with fresh peach slices, a lemon wedge, and a few mint leaves.

For a more intensely peachy tea

For an especially rich peach flavor, let the cooked peaches steep in their liquid for another 10–15 minutes before straining. You can also reserve a few of the softened peach slices and add them directly to the finished tea.

Notes

The amount of maple syrup depends on the sweetness of the peaches. Very ripe summer peaches may need only a small amount, while less sweet peaches benefit from a little more.

For a lighter, more delicate tea, use green tea instead of black tea. White tea also works beautifully with peaches and gives the drink a softer, more floral character.