Effortless Homemade Peach Iced Tea: The Ultimate Cold Brew Recipe & Olive Garden Copycat
Imagine a sun-drenched afternoon, a gentle breeze, and the perfect glass of iced tea in your hand. This isn’t just any iced tea; it’s a wonderfully refreshing peach iced tea, incredibly simple to make, especially with the magic of cold brew tea bags. Forget the hassle of boiling water and the long wait for cooling. With this recipe, you simply mix a few ingredients, garnish with fresh peach slices, and serve up a delightful beverage that tastes just like the popular Olive Garden favorite. It’s the ideal drink for any occasion, offering a burst of sweet, peachy flavor in every sip.
Why This Easy Peach Iced Tea Recipe Works Wonders
For years, many have savored the delightful peach iced tea served at Olive Garden. We, like many others, became big fans of their peach-flavored iced tea, prompting us on a mission several years ago to create a simple copycat version that could be easily replicated at home. What we discovered was an incredibly efficient and delicious method that brings that same beloved taste right to your kitchen, without any unnecessary fuss.
A big benefit of this peach iced tea recipe is its lightning-fast preparation. Unlike traditional iced tea, which requires brewing hot tea and then patiently waiting for it to cool down (sometimes for hours!), our cold brew method eliminates this wait entirely. This means you can have a perfectly chilled and flavorful pitcher of peach iced tea ready in mere minutes. This isn’t just a time-saver; it also results in a naturally smoother, less bitter tea. The cold water extraction process pulls fewer tannins from the tea leaves, leading to a more mellow and enjoyable flavor profile that complements the sweetness of the peach nectar beautifully.
Beyond the efficiency of cold brewing, the beauty of this recipe lies in its sheer simplicity. With just a few staple ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a large pitcher of this delectable beverage. It’s perfect for busy weekdays when you need a quick refreshment, spontaneous gatherings with friends, or simply when you crave a delicious, homemade treat. While peach iced tea is undeniably a summer staple, its comforting sweetness makes it a delightful treat any time of year. It’s a fantastic thirst quencher for backyard barbecues, a welcoming drink for guests, or a simple pleasure to enjoy on a quiet afternoon. The convenience and fantastic taste make it a go-to beverage you’ll find yourself making again and again.
RELATED: You might also like this refreshing recipe – Iced Tea Cocktail
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Peach Iced Tea
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful beverage. You’ll be pleased to know that the list is short and sweet, ensuring a quick and easy preparation process. All precise measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and step-by-step instructions can be found in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Let’s dive deeper into the key components that make this peach iced tea so special, along with some helpful tips and substitution suggestions to ensure your success.
TEA BAGS – The foundation of any great iced tea is, of course, the tea itself. For this recipe, we highly recommend using Lipton Cold Brew Tea Bags. These are specifically designed to infuse quickly and thoroughly in cold water, producing a smooth, full-bodied tea without the bitterness that can sometimes accompany traditional hot brewing methods. Just two cold brew tea bags are enough to make a full pitcher, completely eliminating the need for boiling water or waiting for hot tea to cool. While we prefer Lipton for its consistent quality and availability, feel free to use any brand of cold brew tea bags you like. If cold brew bags aren’t available, you can still make this recipe (see the FAQ section below for instructions on using regular tea bags).
PEACH NECTAR – Peach nectar is the star ingredient that infuses our tea with its irresistible, concentrated peach flavor. Unlike peach juice, which can sometimes be thin or overly watery, nectar is thicker, richer, and offers a more robust and authentic peach taste. You’ll typically find 12-ounce cans of peach nectar (popular brands include Kern’s and Jumex) in the international or Mexican food aisle of most large grocery stores. Don’t hesitate to explore other fruit nectars if you’re feeling adventurous – mango nectar, for instance, makes a fantastic tropical variation! For making smaller, individual servings from regular iced tea, 5.5-ounce mini-cans are also available and are perfect for adding a burst of fruit flavor to a single glass.
GRANULATED SUGAR – Sweetness is a personal preference when it comes to iced tea. This recipe calls for granulated sugar, which dissolves surprisingly well in the cold tea once stirred thoroughly. If you prefer a less sweet drink, you can easily adjust the amount to your liking. For those who avoid refined sugar, alternatives such as simple syrup (which can also be made sugar-free with sweeteners like erythritol or stevia), honey, or agave nectar can be used. Just ensure they dissolve completely and adjust to your desired level of sweetness. A sugar-free liquid sweetener can also be a good option for easy mixing.
ICE & FRESH PEACH SLICES – While simple, these additions are crucial for the full iced tea experience. Abundant ice ensures your tea stays perfectly chilled, and a few slices of fresh peach not only elevate the presentation of your iced tea but also add a subtle fresh fruit aroma and flavor, enhancing the overall experience. A sprig of fresh mint or a lemon slice can also provide a beautiful contrast and an extra layer of freshness, making your homemade peach iced tea look and taste even more gourmet.
Simple Steps to Make Refreshing Peach Iced Tea
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe with ease. For a quick reference, you can Jump to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with exact measurements and concise instructions.
- Add two cold brew tea bags to a 2-quart pitcher of cold filtered water. Ensure the tea bags are fully submerged. Allow them to steep for 5 minutes, or longer (up to 10-15 minutes) if you prefer your iced tea stronger and with a bolder tea flavor. Remember, cold brewing generally results in a smoother tea with less bitterness.
- Once the desired steeping time has passed, carefully remove the tea bags from the pitcher. Gently press them against the side of the pitcher with a spoon to extract any remaining liquid, maximizing flavor without releasing bitterness. Then, discard the used tea bags.
- Add the granulated sugar to the steeped tea. Stir vigorously with a long spoon until the sugar completely dissolves. It’s crucial for the sugar to dissolve thoroughly at this stage to ensure a consistently sweet and smooth texture throughout your entire pitcher of iced tea.
- Pour the entire can of peach nectar into the sweetened tea. Stir everything together until the peach nectar is fully incorporated, creating a harmonious blend of tea and peach flavors. Give it a good whisk to ensure everything is perfectly combined and the color is uniform.
- Serve your freshly made peach iced tea over plenty of ice in tall glasses. For an extra touch of elegance and fresh flavor, garnish each glass with thin slices of fresh peach. You can also add a sprig of fresh mint or a lemon wedge for an additional refreshing element. Enjoy your delicious homemade beverage!
Frequently Asked Questions About Peach Iced Tea
While our recipe highlights the convenience and smooth flavor profile of cold brew tea bags, you absolutely don’t have to use them. If you prefer traditional brewing, simply brew 2 regular black tea bags in 2 cups of hot water for 3-5 minutes. Once brewed, remove the tea bags and let the hot tea cool down completely to room temperature (this is a crucial step to avoid diluting your iced tea). Then, add the cooled tea to your pitcher and proceed with the recipe from Step 3, adding enough additional cold water to reach 2 quarts if needed.
When stored properly in an airtight pitcher or container in the refrigerator, your homemade peach iced tea will typically stay fresh and delicious for 3 to 5 days. We recommend consuming it within this timeframe for the best flavor and quality.
Absolutely! Sweetness is very personal. You can easily adjust the amount of granulated sugar to your taste. For a sugar-free version, simply substitute the granulated sugar with your preferred sugar-free sweetener, such as erythritol, stevia, or a sugar-free liquid sweetener. Make sure to adjust the amount according to the sweetener’s potency, as they vary in sweetness compared to regular sugar.
While peach nectar provides a consistent, concentrated peach flavor and contributes to the lovely texture, you can certainly incorporate fresh peaches. For a natural peach flavor, you could muddle ripe fresh peach slices with a little sugar or simple syrup to create a “peach puree” or “syrup” and add it to your tea. For a lighter peach essence, simply add thin slices of fresh peaches to steep with the cold brew tea bags, or primarily use them as a beautiful and aromatic garnish when serving.
This refreshing drink pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods. It’s excellent with light summer meals such as grilled chicken salads, BBQ sandwiches, or even a picnic spread. For desserts, it complements other peach-flavored treats like peach cobbler or peach pie, or simply enjoy it on its own as a delightful and thirst-quenching pick-me-up any time of day.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, enjoying a quiet moment on your porch, or simply craving a taste of that famous Olive Garden flavor, this homemade cold brew peach iced tea recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, fruity, and refreshing, making it an ideal beverage to enjoy year-round, not just in the warmer months.
Craving More Peach Flavors? Explore These Recipes!
If you’re a true peach enthusiast, you’ll love exploring these other delicious recipes that highlight the versatile and delightful flavor of peaches:
- Peach Bread
- Cherry Peach Slushie
- Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
- Deep Dish Peach Pie
- Peach Mojito
- Peach Pie Cocktail
- Peach Upside Down Cake
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Peach Iced Tea
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 Cold Brew iced tea bags
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 11 ounce can peach nectar
- Ice
- Sliced peaches optional garnish
Things You’ll Need
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2 quart pitcher
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Wooden spoon
Before You Begin
- While we use cold brew tea bags, you can still make this tea the traditional way. Simply brew your tea, cool it, then continue with the recipe.
Instructions
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Add two cold brew tea bags to a 2-quart pitcher of water. Allow to steep for 5 minutes, or longer if you prefer your iced tea stronger.
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Remove the tea bags and gently squeeze out excess, then discard.
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Stir the sugar into the tea, stirring until it dissolves.
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Add peach nectar to the tea and stir well.
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Serve over ice. Garnish with fresh peach slices.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on June 12, 2014 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips to bring you the best version of this classic recipe.