Simply Southern Peach Iced Tea

Did y’all know that August is National Peach Month? Best month ever! This time of year, nothing beats farm-fresh peaches. I stock up at the farmer’s market every weekend. So this week, I’m sharing some of my favorite peachy recipes, on here and over on Instagram. I’m starting with something everyone loves sipping on: peach iced tea!

Sweet tea is a staple below the Mason-Dixon Line. If any Southerner tells you he or she doesn’t like sweet tea, there’s something not right with that person (only half joking). And don’t even get me started on unsweet tea. That just shouldn’t be a thing, ever. Those years we lived in Pennsylvania and had to order unsweet tea at restaurants and add our own sweeteners to it… ugh. The worst.

Once you master a classic Southern sweet tea, then you can kick it up a few notches with whatever other flavors you’d like! I love adding lemon and orange flavors to my sweet tea. Mint is also a really nice, fresh flavor.

With fresh peaches in season, I’ve been using them in all kinds of drinks and treats lately. They’re just perfect. So, in honor of National Peach Month, this week I made peach iced tea, and I can’t lie, it’s my favorite sweet tea recipe I’ve made in a while. Or ever. Maybe.

Here’s my recipe for a perfect, Simply Southern Peach Iced Tea!

Is there really anything more summery than sipping this from a mason jar? Try this and let me know what you think!

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 cups water
• 2 large (family-size) tea bags
• 1 large peach, sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup peach simple syrup, optional (1:1:1 ratio of sugar, water and sliced peaches)

TO MAKE IT:

1. Bring the water to a slow boil in a large saucepan.
2. Add the tea bags. Let steep for 5 minutes.
3. Turn the heat off, and add the peach slices. Continue to steep for up to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.
4. Remove the tea bags. Leave the peaches in for a few more minutes, if desired.
5. Pour tea into a pitcher or carafe, through a mesh sieve to catch any peach pulp.
6. Add sugar and simple syrup (if desired). Stir well.
7. Fill the rest of the pitcher or carafe with ice. Chill until ready to serve.

And that’s it! It takes less than 30 minutes to make, so it’s perfect to brew before a dinner party, brunch, or just to have to sip on for the week.

Stay tuned for some more peach-filled recipes this week! I’ll be sharing them here and over on my Instagram, so follow me over there if you aren’t already!

What’s your favorite peachy recipe?