Peach Thyme Iced Tea Recipe
Introduction
This Peach Thyme Iced Tea is a refreshing and aromatic summer drink that combines the natural sweetness of peaches with the earthy notes of fresh thyme. Brightened with lemon juice and lightly sweetened with maple syrup, it’s perfect for cooling down on warm days.
Ingredients
- 4 cups boiling water
- 3 lemons, juiced
- 6 peaches, roughly chopped
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1½ cups ice cubes
- ½ peach, sliced (for garnish)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Pour the boiling water over white tea bags in a large jar and let steep for 8 to 10 minutes to develop a robust flavor.
- Step 2: Remove the tea bags and stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Allow the tea to cool.
- Step 3: In a saucepan, combine the roughly chopped peaches, 10 sprigs of fresh thyme, 1 cup water, and maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes until syrupy and flavorful.
- Step 5: Strain the peach mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing down to extract as much syrup as possible. Let the syrup cool completely.
- Step 6: To assemble, fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour one part peach syrup and two parts cooled lemon tea over the ice.
- Step 7: Stir well, adjust sweetness to taste if needed, and garnish with peach slices and fresh thyme sprigs before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a more intense herbal flavor, bruise the thyme sprigs before adding them to the syrup.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for a different sweetener option.
- Try using white or green tea bags based on your preference for tea strength and flavor.
- Add a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
Storage
Store the peach syrup and brewed tea separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Combine just before serving and enjoy chilled. Reheat the syrup gently if desired for a warm variation.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen peaches work well in the syrup and will still provide great flavor, especially when fresh peaches are out of season.
Is it necessary to use fresh thyme?
Fresh thyme provides the best aroma and flavor for this recipe, but dried thyme can be used in smaller amounts if fresh is unavailable, keeping in mind it’s more concentrated.
PrintPeach Thyme Iced Tea Recipe
A refreshing Peach Thyme Iced Tea combining the natural sweetness of peaches, the earthy aroma of fresh thyme, and the bright citrus zing of lemon juice, sweetened with a delicate maple syrup. Perfectly chilled over ice, this invigorating drink is ideal for hot summer days and offers a delicious twist on traditional iced tea.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Tea Ingredients
- 4 cups boiling water
- 3 lemons, juiced
Syrup Ingredients
- 6 peaches, roughly chopped
- 10 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
To Serve
- 1½ cups ice cubes
- ½ peach, sliced (for garnish)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme (for garnish)
Instructions
- Tea Preparation: Pour the boiling water over white tea bags in a large jar. Let it steep for 8 to 10 minutes to develop a robust flavor. Remove tea bags and allow the tea to cool. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice to add brightness and balance the sweetness.
- Syrup Preparation: In a saucepan, combine the roughly chopped peaches, fresh thyme sprigs, water, and maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 20 minutes until the peaches are soft and syrupy.
- Strain Syrup: Use a fine sieve placed over a bowl to strain the peach-thyme mixture, pressing gently to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard solids and allow the syrup to cool completely before use.
- Drink Assembly: Fill serving glasses with ice cubes. Pour one part peach syrup and two parts cooled lemon tea mixture over the ice. Stir well, taste, and adjust sweetness if needed. Garnish with peach slices and fresh thyme sprigs to add a fresh herbal note and visual appeal. Enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Make sure to cool both the tea and syrup completely before assembling to prevent dilution.
- Maple syrup adds a natural and subtle sweetness; adjust quantity as per your taste.
- Fresh thyme can be substituted with lemon thyme for a slightly different herbal note.
- This recipe uses white tea bags, but green tea bags can be a good alternative.
- The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for convenience.
Keywords: peach iced tea, peach thyme tea, summer iced tea, homemade iced tea, maple syrup iced tea, refreshing drink, herbal iced tea
