Name: Peach Ginger Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients: 2 Medium Ripe Peaches, Peeled* and Pitted, or Use Frozen Peaches: Peaches are the heart and soul of this iced tea, lending their luscious sweetness and characteristic summer flavor. The ripeness of the peaches is paramount. You want peaches that are fragrant, slightly soft to the touch, and bursting with juice. Fresh Peaches: When selecting fresh peaches, look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Avoid peaches that are rock hard or bruised. The aroma should be sweet and peachy. Freestone peaches are generally easier to work with as the flesh separates readily from the pit. Clingstone peaches, while often juicier, can be a bit more challenging to pit. Peeling the peaches is optional but recommended for a smoother iced tea. If you prefer to keep the peel for added fiber and nutrients, ensure you wash them thoroughly and consider using organic peaches. Varieties like ‘Elberta,’ ‘Redhaven,’ or ‘Georgia Belle’ are excellent choices for their flavor and texture. Don’t discard slightly overripe peaches – they are often the sweetest and perfect for blending into drinks!; Frozen Peaches: In a pinch, or when peaches are out of season, frozen peaches are a fantastic alternative. They are often picked at peak ripeness and frozen immediately, preserving their flavor and nutrients. Using frozen peaches can also result in a slightly thicker, more smoothie-like texture to your iced tea, which some people find delightful. There’s no need to thaw frozen peaches before blending; they will blend smoothly and help chill the iced tea further. Ensure you are using unsweetened frozen peaches for the best flavor control.; 4 Cups Steeped Green Tea (Use Loose Green Tea Leaves or Tea Bags): Green tea forms the base of this refreshing drink, contributing its subtle grassy notes, invigorating caffeine boost, and a wealth of antioxidants. The quality and type of green tea you choose will significantly impact the final flavor profile. Loose Leaf Green Tea: For the most nuanced and flavorful green tea experience, opt for loose leaf tea. High-quality loose leaf green teas offer a more complex flavor and aroma compared to tea bags. Varieties like Sencha, Dragon Well (Long Jing), or Jasmine Green Tea are excellent choices for iced tea. Sencha offers a bright, grassy flavor, Dragon Well is known for its mellow and slightly nutty notes, and Jasmine Green Tea adds a delicate floral aroma. When using loose leaf tea, remember to use a tea infuser or strainer for easy removal after steeping.; Green Tea Bags: Tea bags are a convenient and readily available option. Choose good quality green tea bags from reputable brands. Look for tea bags that contain whole or broken leaves rather than tea dust for better flavor. Plain green tea bags are recommended, avoiding flavored varieties that might clash with the peach and ginger. If using tea bags, remove the tags and strings before steeping. Remember that tea bags often contain smaller leaf particles, which can lead to a quicker and sometimes slightly more bitter brew if over-steeped.; 1 – 2 Teaspoon Fresh Ginger Root, Finely Grated: Ginger adds a delightful zing and warmth to the iced tea, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the peaches and the coolness of the green tea. Fresh ginger is essential for the best flavor and aroma. Fresh Ginger Root: Look for firm, plump ginger roots with smooth skin. Avoid ginger that is shriveled, soft, or has wrinkled skin, as this indicates it is old and may be dry or fibrous. Peeling ginger is optional if you are grating it finely; however, peeling is recommended if you are using larger pieces or want a smoother flavor. Finely grating the ginger releases its pungent oils and ensures it blends seamlessly into the iced tea. Start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to 2 teaspoons or slightly more if you prefer a stronger ginger flavor. Ginger also offers numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, making this iced tea even more wholesome.; 2 Tablespoon Maple Syrup or Honey: A touch of sweetener enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches and balances the subtle bitterness of the green tea and the spiciness of the ginger. Both maple syrup and honey are excellent natural sweeteners that add their own unique flavor notes. Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness with subtle woody undertones. It pairs beautifully with the fruity and spicy flavors of this iced tea. Use pure maple syrup, avoiding imitation syrups that are primarily corn syrup and artificial flavorings. Grade A Dark Color or Grade B (now labelled as Dark Color, Robust Taste) maple syrups offer a more intense maple flavor, while Grade A Amber Color (formerly Medium Amber) provides a more delicate sweetness.; Honey: Honey offers a floral sweetness and a variety of flavors depending on the type of honey used. Wildflower honey, clover honey, or orange blossom honey are all delicious choices. Local, raw honey often has a more complex flavor profile and retains more of its natural enzymes and pollen. If using honey, be mindful of its flavor intensity, as some stronger honeys can slightly alter the overall taste of the iced tea. For a vegan option, maple syrup is the preferred choice. You can adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more to taste. For a less sweet iced tea, you can reduce the sweetener or even omit it altogether, allowing the natural sweetness of the peaches to shine through.

Ingredients

2 Medium Ripe Peaches, Peeled* and Pitted, or Use Frozen Peaches: Peaches are the heart and soul of this iced tea, lending their luscious sweetness and characteristic summer flavor. The ripeness of the peaches is paramount. You want peaches that are fragrant, slightly soft to the touch, and bursting with juice.
- Fresh Peaches: When selecting fresh peaches, look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Avoid peaches that are rock hard or bruised. The aroma should be sweet and peachy. Freestone peaches are generally easier to work with as the flesh separates readily from the pit. Clingstone peaches, while often juicier, can be a bit more challenging to pit. Peeling the peaches is optional but recommended for a smoother iced tea. If you prefer to keep the peel for added fiber and nutrients, ensure you wash them thoroughly and consider using organic peaches. Varieties like ‘Elberta,’ ‘Redhaven,’ or ‘Georgia Belle’ are excellent choices for their flavor and texture. Don’t discard slightly overripe peaches – they are often the sweetest and perfect for blending into drinks!
- Frozen Peaches: In a pinch, or when peaches are out of season, frozen peaches are a fantastic alternative. They are often picked at peak ripeness and frozen immediately, preserving their flavor and nutrients. Using frozen peaches can also result in a slightly thicker, more smoothie-like texture to your iced tea, which some people find delightful. There’s no need to thaw frozen peaches before blending; they will blend smoothly and help chill the iced tea further. Ensure you are using unsweetened frozen peaches for the best flavor control.

4 Cups Steeped Green Tea (Use Loose Green Tea Leaves or Tea Bags): Green tea forms the base of this refreshing drink, contributing its subtle grassy notes, invigorating caffeine boost, and a wealth of antioxidants. The quality and type of green tea you choose will significantly impact the final flavor profile.
- Loose Leaf Green Tea: For the most nuanced and flavorful green tea experience, opt for loose leaf tea. High-quality loose leaf green teas offer a more complex flavor and aroma compared to tea bags. Varieties like Sencha, Dragon Well (Long Jing), or Jasmine Green Tea are excellent choices for iced tea. Sencha offers a bright, grassy flavor, Dragon Well is known for its mellow and slightly nutty notes, and Jasmine Green Tea adds a delicate floral aroma. When using loose leaf tea, remember to use a tea infuser or strainer for easy removal after steeping.
- Green Tea Bags: Tea bags are a convenient and readily available option. Choose good quality green tea bags from reputable brands. Look for tea bags that contain whole or broken leaves rather than tea dust for better flavor. Plain green tea bags are recommended, avoiding flavored varieties that might clash with the peach and ginger. If using tea bags, remove the tags and strings before steeping. Remember that tea bags often contain smaller leaf particles, which can lead to a quicker and sometimes slightly more bitter brew if over-steeped.

1 – 2 Teaspoon Fresh Ginger Root, Finely Grated: Ginger adds a delightful zing and warmth to the iced tea, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the peaches and the coolness of the green tea. Fresh ginger is essential for the best flavor and aroma.
- Fresh Ginger Root: Look for firm, plump ginger roots with smooth skin. Avoid ginger that is shriveled, soft, or has wrinkled skin, as this indicates it is old and may be dry or fibrous. Peeling ginger is optional if you are grating it finely; however, peeling is recommended if you are using larger pieces or want a smoother flavor. Finely grating the ginger releases its pungent oils and ensures it blends seamlessly into the iced tea. Start with 1 teaspoon and adjust to 2 teaspoons or slightly more if you prefer a stronger ginger flavor. Ginger also offers numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, making this iced tea even more wholesome.

2 Tablespoon Maple Syrup or Honey: A touch of sweetener enhances the natural sweetness of the peaches and balances the subtle bitterness of the green tea and the spiciness of the ginger. Both maple syrup and honey are excellent natural sweeteners that add their own unique flavor notes.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness with subtle woody undertones. It pairs beautifully with the fruity and spicy flavors of this iced tea. Use pure maple syrup, avoiding imitation syrups that are primarily corn syrup and artificial flavorings. Grade A Dark Color or Grade B (now labelled as Dark Color, Robust Taste) maple syrups offer a more intense maple flavor, while Grade A Amber Color (formerly Medium Amber) provides a more delicate sweetness.
- Honey: Honey offers a floral sweetness and a variety of flavors depending on the type of honey used. Wildflower honey, clover honey, or orange blossom honey are all delicious choices. Local, raw honey often has a more complex flavor profile and retains more of its natural enzymes and pollen. If using honey, be mindful of its flavor intensity, as some stronger honeys can slightly alter the overall taste of the iced tea. For a vegan option, maple syrup is the preferred choice. You can adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference, starting with 2 tablespoons and adding more to taste. For a less sweet iced tea, you can reduce the sweetener or even omit it altogether, allowing the natural sweetness of the peaches to shine through.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brew 4 cups of green tea: This is the foundational step, setting the stage for the entire flavor profile. Start with fresh, filtered water for the best taste. Bring the water to just below boiling point – around 175-185°F (80-85°C) – as boiling water can scorch green tea leaves and result in a bitter taste.
- Using Loose Leaf Green Tea: Use approximately 4 teaspoons of loose leaf green tea for 4 cups (32 ounces) of water, or adjust according to the tea packaging recommendations and your preferred strength. Place the tea leaves in a teapot or heat-safe pitcher. Pour the hot water over the tea leaves. Steep for 1 to 3 minutes, tasting periodically. Green tea can become bitter if over-steeped. Start with a shorter steeping time and increase if you prefer a stronger flavor. Once steeped to your liking, immediately strain the tea leaves using a fine-mesh strainer or tea infuser to prevent further steeping and bitterness.
- Using Green Tea Bags: Use 4 green tea bags for 4 cups of water. Place the tea bags in a teapot or heat-safe pitcher. Pour the hot water over the tea bags. Steep for 2 to 4 minutes, tasting periodically. Again, be mindful of over-steeping, which can lead to bitterness. Remove the tea bags after steeping to your desired strength, gently squeezing them to extract any remaining tea.
- Cooling the Green Tea: Allow the brewed green tea to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding to the next step. This is crucial because adding hot tea to the blender with peaches can result in a less refreshing and slightly cooked peach flavor. To expedite the cooling process, you can pour the hot tea into a larger container or an ice bath (be careful not to dilute the tea with water if using an ice bath). You can also brew the green tea in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.

Purée the peaches, ginger, and sweetener: While the green tea is cooling, prepare the peach and ginger mixture. This step infuses the iced tea with vibrant fruity and spicy notes.
- Prepare the Peaches: If using fresh peaches, peel and pit them. Roughly chop the peaches into chunks for easier blending. If using frozen peaches, no preparation is needed.
- Grate the Ginger: Peel a small piece of fresh ginger root (about 1-2 inches). Use a fine grater or microplane to grate 1-2 teaspoons of ginger. Finely grated ginger blends seamlessly into the iced tea.
- Blend the Ingredients: Place the peeled and pitted peach chunks (or frozen peaches), finely grated ginger, and maple syrup or honey into a blender. Blend on high speed until completely smooth and puréed. The mixture should be creamy and without any chunks of peach or ginger. Taste the purée and adjust the sweetener if needed. You can add a little more maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness or a squeeze of lemon juice for a touch of tartness if desired.

Blend with cooled green tea: Once the green tea has cooled and the peach-ginger purée is ready, combine them to create the final iced tea mixture.
- Combine and Blend: Pour the cooled green tea into the blender container on top of the peach-ginger purée. Blend for just a few seconds, until everything is well combined and the mixture is homogenous. Avoid over-blending at this stage, as it can make the iced tea slightly frothy. A quick blend is all that’s needed to incorporate the flavors.

Chill and Serve: The final step is to chill the Peach Ginger Iced Tea and prepare it for serving.
- Pour into a Pitcher: Pour the blended Peach Ginger Iced Tea into a pitcher. A glass pitcher is ideal for serving iced tea.
- Chill in the Fridge: Refrigerate the pitcher of iced tea for at least 30 minutes to an hour, or until thoroughly chilled. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more refreshing and flavorful iced tea. You can also chill it for longer, even overnight, for convenience.
- Serve with Ice and Garnish: When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the chilled Peach Ginger Iced Tea over the ice. Garnish with slices of fresh peaches, raspberries, strawberries, mint sprigs, or candied ginger for an extra touch of visual appeal and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 40kcal