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This summer drink has always been my top pick for lazy days outdoors or hanging out at a picnic table. It's got a mix of bright peach syrup and strong black tea. The blend makes every glass sunny and fun to sip.
When I first fixed this, adding a tiny bit of baking soda took away the bitter edge. Now I always make it to wow my friends and family with something smoother.
Refreshing Ingredients
- Peach syrup: packs in loads of peachy flavor and sweetness. Pour in as much as you like to make it perfect for you
- Water: helps everything mix together nicely and you can tweak it to make your drink as strong or light as you want. Filtered if you've got it
- Lemon juice: cuts through the sweetness and perks everything up. The juice from a fresh lemon gives the best zing
- Baking soda: makes sure your drink doesn't taste bitter and keeps every sip easy to drink
- Black tea bags: lay down a deep tea base. Try English breakfast or your favorite black variety
- Granulated sugar: rounds out the syrup for just the right amount of sweetness. Go with fine white sugar if you want it to melt fast
- Frozen peaches: bring both color and a pop of fresh flavor. Pick ones with no sugar added—they work best
How to Put It All Together
- Add Flavors and Chill:
- Mix in some lemon juice and a nice splash of your peach syrup. Taste it—if you crave more peachy sweetness, pour a little extra syrup. Pop it in the fridge for an hour or so to let everything come together. For serving, pile on ice and maybe tuck in lemon slices or leftover peaches for a pretty touch
- Mix the Base:
- Grab a big pitcher and add the rest of your cold water. Stir in the tea and toss in the baking soda. Give it a good stir so the baking soda disappears and your tea turns smooth
- Brew the Tea:
- Heat up half your water in a saucepan until it's bubbling. Throw in your tea bags and let them soak for five minutes—don't rush this, otherwise the taste won't be strong. Squeeze out the bags when you pull them
- Strain the Syrup:
- After the syrup cools down, pour it into a bowl through a fine mesh strainer. Push on the peaches to get all the juicy syrup out. You can snack on the leftover peaches or add them to your glass
- Make the Peach Syrup:
- Start off by heating frozen peaches, water, and sugar in a little pot. Stir off and on while gently bubbling for about 10 minutes. Once the peaches are mushy and the sugar's melted, take it off heat. Let the mix sit for about 30 minutes until it's not hot anymore so your syrup turns out just right
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Frozen peaches always steal the spotlight for me. My niece begged for more just to nibble and now giving out extra peaches is a fun habit in our family each summer
Storing Your Drink
Keep your peachy tea cold in the fridge in a closed pitcher. It'll taste fresh for around two or three days. Want to make part of it early? The syrup stays delicious in the fridge all week if you bottle it by itself
Swaps and Changes
No frozen peaches handy? You can use canned ones in juice—just drain 'em first. If caffeine's not your thing, pick decaf black tea. Want a different spin on sweet? Try using honey for all or part of the sugar
Fun Ways to Serve
Pour it over a tall stack of ice cubes. If you're feeling fancy, toss in mint sprigs or a few thin slices of lemon. I love scooping leftover peaches into each glass—that's the best part for me
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A Touch of Tradition
The South is known for strong, super-sweet tea. When you stir in homemade peach syrup it goes to a whole new level. I picture warm afternoons, a drippy pitcher on the porch, and everyone laughing outside
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use fresh peaches instead of frozen?
Yep! Just peel and dice your peaches before cooking so the syrup soaks up even more flavor.
- → Why add baking soda to iced tea?
Baking soda smooths out the tea and keeps it from tasting super bitter.
- → How should I store leftover peach syrup?
Stash any leftover syrup in a tight container in your fridge and it'll keep for around a week.
- → How can I adjust the sweetness?
Just pour in more peach syrup if you need it sweeter, or hold back if you want less sugar.
- → Can I make this drink ahead of time?
For sure! Make it early and let it hang out in the fridge so it's extra cold when you pour it later.
- → What are good garnishes for serving?
Lemon wheels, sprigs of mint, and a spoonful of extra soft peach chunks are all awesome on top.