Does anything say summer more than fresh peach juice running down your fingers as you bite into a ripe piece of fruit? How about a cold glass filled to the brim with iced tea? Put those two things together and you’ve got white peach iced tea, a drink perfectly matched for a hot summer’s day. (Psst, check out these secret tips for making iced tea like a true Southerner.)
Unlike yellow peaches, which mellow into a sweeter flavor as they ripen, white peaches taste sweet whether firm or soft. White peaches are also less acidic than the yellow varieties. These qualities make this fruit the ideal accompaniment to iced tea.
By the way, here’s how to make cold brew iced tea like a pro.
How to Make White Peach Iced Tea
Susan Bronson for Taste of Home
This recipe comes from Taste of Home Community Cook AJ Lively in Texas. It’s simple, sweet and oh-so-delicious on a hot summer day. Keep reading to get the step-by-step instructions.
Note: Recipes submitted by our trusted contributors are created and tested in their kitchens.
Ingredients:
- 4 large fresh white peaches, washed and diced (leave the peels on)
- 5 cups water, divided, plus more to taste
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 family-size tea bags
Tools:
To prepare the iced tea:
To serve the iced tea:
Step 1: Make the peach syrup
First, make a simple syrup. In a large pan, combine the peaches, 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cover. Continue to simmer until the peaches are soft, about 15-20 minutes.
Use a potato masher to mash the peaches. Continue simmering for about 10 minutes. Strain the peach mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup and set aside to cool. Discard the peach solids, or reuse them as a topping for pancakes or waffles.
Editor’s Tip: Watching your sugar intake? If your peaches are super ripe, you can reduce the amount of sugar to just 1-1/2 cups. Or, you can omit the sugar completely and make unsweetened white peach iced tea.
Step 2: Prep the tea
In another large pan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Place the tea bags into the water, turn off the heat and steep for 12 minutes. Discard the tea bags.
Step 3: Mix it together
Add the tea to a large pitcher. Stir in the peach syrup. Then, slowly add more water until the pitcher is full.
Editor’s Tip: To find the perfect amount of peachy sweetness, gradually add the water and taste the tea after each addition.
Step 4: Let it cool
Refrigerate the tea until cold. Serve over ice. If you like, garnish each glass with a few peach slices.
Love iced tea? Check out more of our favorite iced tea recipes.
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Lemony Pineapple Iced TeaI like to garnish this iced tea with some of our sweet Hawaiian pineapple. —Beverly Toomey, Honolulu, Hawaii
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Lemonade Iced TeaI have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this delightful thirst quencher just takes it one step further. Lemonade gives the drink a nice color too. I dress up each glass with a slice of lemon on the rim. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina
Agua de JamaicaThis agua de Jamaica is an iced tea made from hibiscus, which is tart and deep red like cranberry juice. Add rum if you like. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Raspberry Iced TeaOne sip and you'll likely agree that this is the best flavored tea you've ever tasted. —Chris Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Rhubarb Mint TeaA bumper crop of rhubarb and mint from my garden inspired me to create this thirst-quenching pick-me-up. Raspberries deepen the tea's vibrant red color, making the drinks a pretty addition to your table. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Iced Raspberry TeaFrozen raspberries lend fruity flavor and lovely color to this pretty iced tea that's good throughout the year. The recipe calls for just a few common ingredients and offers make-ahead convenience. —Lois McGrady, Hillsville, Virginia
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Apricot Lemonade Iced TeaEvery special occasion deserves a refreshing beverage (and a lovely punch bowl). Our tea has a tangy flavor from lemonade, apricot nectar and mint. —Kay Chon, Sherwood, Arkansas
Sweet Raspberry TeaYou need only a handful of ingredients to stir together this refreshing spring sipper. Its brilliant color and smile-fetching flavor will make a popular thirst quencher as the weather turns warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Iced Melon Moroccan Mint TeaI grow mint on my balcony, and this refreshing beverage is a wonderful way to use it. It combines two of my favorite drinks—Moroccan Mint Tea and Honeydew Agua Fresca. For extra flair, add some ginger ale. —Sarah Batt Throne, El Cerrito, California
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Sweet Citrus Iced TeaMy family has been making iced tea this way ever since I was a child. When I recently prepared it for a church function, everyone liked it so much that they asked for the recipe. — Diane C Kirkpatrick, Terre Hill, Pennsylvania
Cranberry TeaThis colorful tea with its sweet spicy flavor is a great winter warmer-upper. The aroma is sure to bring guests to the table! —Kathy Traetow, Waverly, Iowa
Looking for other iced tea options?
Check out how to make Thai tea.
Make It Your Own
If it’s not peach season, you can substitute in frozen peaches (no need to thaw) or even canned peaches. Just be sure to drain off the juices, first. You can also use yellow peaches or other stone fruits such as nectarines or apricots in this recipe.
Also, you can make your simple syrup with honey, rather than white sugar, for a more flavorful syrup.
What Types of Tea Are Best for Iced Tea?
When it comes to the best type of tea to use, the sky’s the limit. If you’re looking for a good black tea, which is the go-to for most iced teas, there’s nothing better than Lipton’s iced tea bags. Those who prefer decaf aren’t out of luck; Luzianne’s decaffeinated black iced tea bags are also a delicious choice.
This recipe would also be delicious when made with green tea, of which we love Rishi’s Mizudashi green tea, or your favorite floral tea flavor. We suggest Tazo’s iced passion herbal tea, for a fun and floral tea, but you can go with whichever is your favorite floral tea.
How Long Does White Peach Iced Tea Last?
This white peach iced tea is best when enjoyed within 3 days, but it can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just be sure to give the tea a good stir before pouring.
Here Are More Ways to Use Fresh Peaches
Golden Peach PieYears ago, I entered this pie in the Park County Fair in Livingston. It won a first-place blue ribbon plus a purple ribbon for best all around! Family and friends agree with the judges—it's a perfectly peachy pie. —Shirley Olson, Polson, Montana
Iva's Peach CobblerMy mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Peach-Chipotle Baby Back RibsMy son and I collaborated in the kitchen one day to put our own unique twist on classic baby back ribs. We added a sweet peachy glaze and a little heat with chipotle peppers. It was a great bonding experience, and now we have a keeper recipe for fall-off-the-bone ribs. —Rebecca Suaso, Weaverville, North Carolina
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Georgia Peach Ice CreamMy state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Chicken with Peach-Cucumber SalsaTo keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
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Grilled Peach & Pineapple SangriaGrill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
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Slow-Cooked Peach SalsaFresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a winner over store-bought versions. As a treat, I give my coworkers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
Peaches 'n' Cream Waffle DippersI've prepared these for many brunches—peaches are my favorite fruit to add, but you can use strawberries or blueberries. People of all ages enjoy dunking crispy waffle strips into creamy dip. —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Chandler, Arizona
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Curried Chicken & Peach SaladThis is a very healthy and simple salad to make; even my non-cooking husband can whip it together in minutes. We’ve served this to friends over the years, and they always ask for the recipe. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida
Three-Fruit MarmaladeI make all my own jams, and this marmalade is a favorite. It marries the warm flavors of peaches and pears with citrus. —Lorraine Wright, Grand Forks, British Columbia
Cucumber Fruit SalsaOur garden always gives us way more cucumbers and tomatoes than we know what to do with. But we’ve learned how to handle the unexpected with a surprise of our own. This is our pretty, fresh way to use up the bounty. —Anna Davis, Springfield, Missouri
Mixed Fruit ShortcakesThis delightful downsized recipe makes just two biscuitlike shortcakes. Fill them with fresh fruit of your choice and top with whipped cream for an impressive dinner finale. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
Golden Summer Peach GazpachoBecause peaches and tomatoes are in season at the same time, I like to blend them into a cool, delicious soup. Leftovers keep well in the fridge—but they rarely last long enough to get there. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada
Peach SmoothieWhip up this creamy peach smoothie as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast. Because you can use frozen fruit, you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. —Martha Polasek, Markham, Texas. Here, find out the difference between
fresh and frozen peaches.
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Peach Melba TrifleThis dream of a dessert tastes extra good on a busy day, because you can make it ahead of time! If you don't have fresh peaches handy, subbing three cups of the canned ones works, too. —Christina Moore, Casar, North Carolina
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Spiced Peach CobblerWhen you tuck into this warm and comforting fresh peach cobbler, you won’t miss the extra fat and calories a bit! —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York
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Grilled Honey-Balsamic Glazed FruitOne summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
Buttermilk Peach Ice CreamMy mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Amaretto-Peach PreservesChock-full of peaches, raisins and pecans, this lovely conserve enhances ordinary slices of toast.—Redawna Kalynchuk, Sexsmith, Alberta
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Peach Praline Upside-Down CakeThis cake is filled with fresh peaches, roasted Saigon cinnamon, roasted ground ginger and toasted pecans – and that makes it different. — Jeanette Nelson, Sophia, West Virginia
Barbecued Shrimp & Peach KabobsShrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia
Grilled Peaches & Pound CakeBrush up on grilling dessert with fresh peaches and pound cake. Store-bought cake makes it quick to prepare, and the caramelized flavor will make it disappear fast! —Joy Pendley, Ortonville, Michigan
Ginger Peach PiesI love ginger in any way, shape or form, so I always look for ways to include it in recipes, especially desserts. Peaches and ginger star in this mini pie that offers the right amount of sweetness and spice. —Rae Endicott, Branson, Missouri
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Fresh Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon ChipsLime and basil really brighten the flavors in this colorful salsa. It's best when scooped up on a homemade cinnamon chip. —Navalee Hylton, Lauderhill, Florida
Chunky Cherry & Peach PreservesOut of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother’s favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I’ll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma
Grilled Fruit Phyllo TartThis tart was a hit at my friend's baby shower. It reminds me of a fruit salad that my mother used to make with cream cheese and whipped topping. Everyone loved the flaky crust, and the bright colors make it a pretty addition to any spread. —Laura McAllister, Morganton, North Carolina
Grilled Peach SundaesThese peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Peaches & Cream Jelly RollCake rolls make a lovely presentation for a party, and they are simple to cut into even slices. My father taught me how to make them, and sometimes we get together and make them for family and friends. —Malena Coleman, Rockville, Indiana
Peach BavarianFruit molds are my specialty. This one, with its refreshing peach taste, makes a colorful salad or dessert. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
Updated: Jan. 05, 2023
