Peach & Thyme Iced Tea

This drink is one of my favorites to have on hand at the end of summer. It’s refreshing but sweet and feels like a total celebration of summer.

I’ll splash a little sparkling water or alcohol of choice in too if I’m feeling it — I really like vodka, prosecco, or even a little rum.

The perfect cocktail / mocktail to serve to guests and enjoy yourself.

Serves 6–8   ·   20 minutes active, plus 2 hours chilling

INGREDIENTS

— For the peach syrup —

• 3 large ripe peaches, pitted and roughly chopped (skin on or off, your preference)

• 100g (⅓ cup) agave (honey or maple syrup is fine too)

• 120ml (½ cup) water

• 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme

• — For the tea —

• 4 bags of tea — Go autumnal, black tea for caffeine, or even chamomile for a gentle flavor

• 1 litre (4 cups) boiled water

• 500ml (2 cups) cold water

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Ice, to serve

• Thin peach slices and fresh thyme sprigs, to garnish

METHOD

1.  Make the peach syrup: combine the peaches, agave, water, and thyme in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to dissolve the agave, then cook for 8–10 minutes until the peaches are completely soft and have released all their juice. Remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes.

2.  Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing firmly on the solids to extract every drop of the deeply colored, fragrant syrup. Discard the solids and thyme.

3.  Steep the tea bags in the just-boiled water for 5-10minutes.

4.  Combine the brewed tea, cold water, peach syrup, and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Stir, taste, and adjust with more lemon or a little extra agave as needed.

5.  Refrigerate until thoroughly cold and serve over plenty of ice, garnished with a thin slice of fresh peach and a sprig of thyme.