Summer days practically beg for drinks that are both sweet and a little bit fun. The Sweet Peach Iced Tea Cocktail brings together that classic southern tea vibe, juicy peach goodness, and just enough bourbon to make things interesting.
This easy cocktail mixes up fresh peach puree, black tea, and bourbon for a drink that’s as perfect for a backyard hangout as it is for a lazy evening on the porch.
It’s one of those seasonal sippers that really shines when peaches are ripe and full of flavor. The fruit’s natural sweetness plays off the tea’s slight bitterness, and the bourbon? It adds a cozy depth that just works.
Make a big pitcher for friends, or pour yourself a glass when you want a little treat. It’s flexible like that.
Sweet Peach Iced Tea Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Large pitcher (at least 64 ounces)
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Ice cube trays
- Highball glasses
Ingredients
- 4 ripe peaches sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 6 cups brewed black tea cooled
- 1 cup peach vodka
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Optional: 1-2 tablespoons peach nectar for extra flavor
Instructions
- Prepare the tea base: Brew your black tea and let it cool down. Pour it into a big pitcher.
- Muddle the peaches: Save a couple slices for garnish. Pop the rest into a cocktail shaker and muddle until they’re nice and broken up.
- Mix the cocktail: Strain those muddled peaches into your pitcher of tea. Add the peach vodka, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Give it all a good stir.
- Chill thoroughly: Toss the pitcher in the fridge for at least two hours. The flavors need some time to get to know each other.
- Serve: Fill your highball glasses with ice. Pour the tea mixture over, then top with peach slices and mint leaves if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
This Sweet Peach Iced Tea Cocktail is all about balance. The fresh peach flavor is front and center, and it’s honestly hard not to love.
The sweetness from the nectar and syrup is cut nicely by the black tea’s tannins. It keeps things from veering into super-sweet territory.
Primary Flavors:
- Fresh peach (juicy and sweet)
- Black tea (mellow and slightly astringent)
- Bourbon (warm, oaky notes)
- Lemon (bright acidity)
First sip? You get that ripe peach, then the tea comes through smooth. The bourbon’s there too, adding a little warmth and complexity, but it doesn’t steal the show.
The finish is just tart enough from the lemon to keep you coming back for another sip. As the ice melts, everything softens out and the flavors kind of settle in together.
Serve it really cold, but don’t let it get too watery. If you let it sit a few minutes, the peach comes out even more—worth the wait.
It’s a pretty drink, too—amber-peach in the glass, with a mint sprig and peach slice on top. Honestly, it smells as good as it looks.
Substitute
If you’re missing a few ingredients for a Sweet Peach Iced Tea Cocktail, don’t stress. There are plenty of swaps that still make for a refreshing drink.
Black tea is the classic base, but honestly, green tea or even an herbal tea can step in. Each one brings something a little different to the glass.
Alcohol Substitutions:
- Not a bourbon fan? Try rum, vodka, or gin instead.
- Or just leave out the bourbon for a non-alcoholic version.
Fruit Options:
- No fresh peaches on hand? No worries:
- Frozen peaches work (don’t bother thawing).
- Peach nectar—about 3 tablespoons per drink—does the trick.
- Or peach preserves, maybe a tablespoon, strained if you want it smooth.
If you’re out of simple syrup, honey, agave, or maple syrup can fill in. Each one brings its own subtle twist, so pick what you like.
Want to mix it up? Nectarines, plums, or apricots can stand in for peaches, and honestly, they’re all pretty great with tea.
Lemon juice is the usual pick for brightness, but lime or orange juice could work too. Each one tweaks the flavor in its own way—sometimes that’s half the fun.
Mint’s classic for garnish, but if you want to get a little fancy, basil, rosemary, or thyme all add a nice herbal note. It’s a small touch, but it makes a difference.
If you can’t find peach bitters, orange or aromatic bitters are fine. Or just skip them—no one’s judging.
