Peach Iced Tea Cocktail

We are smack in the middle of peach season right now, and after a leisurely picnic in the park we strolled the main street where the annual Peach Festival was underway.  It was packed with folks taking in all things peachy! I picked up some peaches and decided what better way to unwind on a summer evening then a delicious peach iced tea cocktail!

Our summer cocktail series may be over, but I couldn’t miss sharing this delicious summer beverage with you.

This is truly a homemade iced tea made with fresh brewed tea and fresh peaches cooked down to a peach puree.  It is really simple and the result is so worthwhile.  

Don’t want a cocktail? Simply leave out the rum.  Trust me, the peach iced tea is delicious all on its’ own.  The coconut rum just adds a bit of the tropics.  Either way, it is a deliciously refreshing summer beverage.

Peach Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 4 cups freshly boiled water
• 3 tea bags, either black or green tea
• 3 ripe peaches, thinly sliced peels on + one peach for garnish
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups room temperature water
• Coconut Rum

Instructions:

• Pour boiled water over tea bags, cover with a plate and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and set aside to cool.
• In a medium saucepan, combine unpeeled peaches, sugar and 1 and 1/2 cups of water, bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir and crush peaches about every 5 minutes.
• Carefully transfer cooked peaches to a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour through a fine sieve to remove any chunks of peaches left behind.  I have a high speed blender which resulted in a very fine puree without the need for sieving.
• In a large pitcher combine the peach puree and the tea.  Chill.  Add ice and one peach sliced thin just before serving
• For cocktail, in a tall glass add 1 ounce coconut rum, fill with peach iced tea and stir gently.

There is nothing quite like the taste a fresh picked peach in the summertime.  The season comes and goes so quickly, so I love to enjoy them while they are in season.  Tomorrow I am making a peach cake.  Four layers of french vanilla cake layered with fresh peach filling and buttercream frosting! And of course it will be decorated with pretty peaches!  I will be sharing that recipe later this week and linking it back here!

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Until next time….