This Spiked Peach Sweet Tea is the most perfect Southern cocktail and it’s perfect for your Kentucky Derby party! Spike this classic sweet tea with whisky for an adults only drink, or serve it without for a non-alcoholic version.
Easy and quick to make with a few simple ingredients.
This weekend we’re looking forward to watching the Kentucky Derby with friends. While I’m not hosting a party tomorrow, I am inviting ya’ll over for cocktails today with a Kentucky Derby drink on the menu – spiked peach tea.
What’s more southern than sweet tea? My friend Tori introduced me to peach sweet tea years ago. Unfortunately, living in the Midwest it isn’t always easy to find.
The difference between sweet tea and iced tea is the additional sugar. Iced tea is simply cold tea served with ice, but the added sugar in the sweet tea makes a stronger tasting and more enjoyable drink (for me anyway!).
Last summer I decided to puree a can of peaches and magic happened. I blended them into fresh brewed tea. Of course adding a little whiskey never hurts either.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- I find when the additional sugar really works better with the whiskey.
- You can of course turn this recipe into a straight peach tea by simply omitting the sugar.
- I recommend serving your peach sweet tea alongside a bottle of whiskey to let guests choose if they’d like to spike their drink or not. Either way, they’ll be pleased as punch.
Ingredients
- Sugar – Plain white sugar gives this drink a subtle sweetness.
- Tea Bags – Use black tea for this recipe like Lipton or Luzianne, and brew them according to the instructions on the pack.
- Water
- Peaches – Canned peaches are your best and easiest option for this recipe. Puree them in a food processor so that they are smooth and mix well with the tea.
- Whiskey – This is an optional add in! You can serve the tea as it is or mix in a shot of whiskey to each glass!
Best Whiskey for this Cocktail
I like to spike my iced peach tea with Basil Hayden’s whiskey. It is a light bourbon with a buttery and smooth flavor. It has a tannic finish, so it works wonderfully with the tea.
You can of course use your favorite bottle in this recipe. We personally favor a smooth bourbon such as Maker’s Mark or W.L. Weller Reserve.
How To Make
- Heat water with tea bags according to instructions on tea bags.
- Add a cup of sugar to a large pourable mixing bowl or pitcher. Pour tea over sugar and stir.
- Puree peaches in a food processor. You can substitute peach puree found in a can.
- Blend peaches with tea. Allow to come to room temperature or transfer to a plastic pitcher and refrigerate or add ice to cool.
Tips
- Make Ahead – You can make this iced peach tea ahead of time if you are entertaining and want to get organized. The tea is best drunk within 24 hours, but it’s still good for up to 3 days if you keep it covered in the fridge. After three days, I find the flavor starts to get a little strange!
- Avoid Burning – Bring the water to the boil, but then let it cool for a minute or two before adding it to your teabags.
- Best Flavor – To achieve the best flavor let your teabags steep in the water for about 15 minutes before removing them and blending in the peaches.
More Easy Cocktails
Spiked Peach Sweet Tea
Ingredients
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 5 bags tea
- 8 cups water
- 1 standard can of peaches (peaches in juice) drained
- whiskey (optional)
Instructions
- Heat water with tea bags according to instructions on tea bags.
- Add a cup of sugar to a large pourable mixing bowl or pitcher. Pour tea over sugar and stir.
- Puree peaches in a food processor. {You can substitute peach puree found in a can}
- Blend peaches with tea. Allow to come to room temperature or transfer to a plastic pitcher and refrigerate or add ice to cool.
Julie’s Tips
- Make ahead – best within 24 hours, but keeps 3 days covered in the refrigerator.
- To get the best flavor, let your teabags steep in the water for about 15 minutes before removing them and blending in the peaches.
- Be sure to blend your peaches really well so that the combine with the tea easily and there aren’t any lumps.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Do you use canned peaches in syrup, or canned peaches and juice?
Hi Joanie!
We like the canned peaches in juice, but since you’re draining the liquid off before adding it, you can use your favorite kind or whatever you have on hand!
Enjoy,
Julie
That sounds great! I love peach sweet tea. Although, I suggest serving it with Kentucky Bourbon…… when in Rome…….:-)