Iced tea is the perfect drink to sip on during the hot summer months. This variation on peach iced tea is both good for you and refreshing. So let the kids loose in the backyard, make a pitcher of tea for yourself, and take a few minutes to relax on the patio!
Lavender: A Lovely Little Flower With a Million Uses
I can’t say enough good things about lavender. It is one of my favorite herbs and definitely a staple around here. It has been used for hundreds of years, and is still best known for its relaxing and soothing qualities.
Lavender plants are quite hardy and grow in many climates, as long as the soil is well drained. It’s a lovely choice for edging pathways into the house, so you can smell it as you walk by and when the windows are open.
The best part of lavender is that it’s so much more than just a pretty plant. I use it around the house in a million different ways, both as an essential oil and a dry herb.
For tips on how to grow and harvest lavender yourself (plus my running list of ways to use it), see this post.
Refreshing Lavender Peach Iced Tea
Most teas are made from the leaves of the tea bush. However, herbal teas are made from various parts of other herbs such as mint, raspberry leaf, and lavender.
Making iced tea from lavender certainly never occurred to me before, but when I came across this recipe from the Family Apothecary I knew I had to give it a try. With a few adjustments and some trial and error, I had a new favorite summer drink!
Like most herbal teas there are no tea leaves in this recipe so it does not contain caffeine and is kid-approved.
To make this recipe, simply pour brewed lavender flower “tea” over diced peaches and honey (mouth watering yet?) in a half-gallon glass jar. Let it steep for a time before adding more water. You can remove the peaches or leave them in for a more intensely peach-flavored tea (the peach chunks are kind of tasty to eat too — peachy with a hint of lavender).
This is a great recipe for using up peaches that are bruised and need to be used soon. Just cut off the not-so-pretty spots and use the rest!
Lavender Peach Iced Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups water divided
- 3 TBSP dried lavender blossoms
- 3 large organic peaches
- ½ cup honey optional
Instructions
- In a large pan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add lavender flowers.
- Steep for 5 minutes or until desired strength, then strain.
- Dice the peaches and put them in the bottom of a half-gallon mason jar or pitcher.
- Drizzle the honey on top of the peaches if using.
- Pour strained lavender tea over the peaches. Muddle slightly.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, about an hour.
- Add the remaining 4 cups of water to the peaches and tea and refrigerate until cold.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Note: Since peaches are consistently on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list, I try to buy them organic. Wherever your peaches come from, it’s always a good idea to wash your produce before using it.
Other Refreshing Summer Drink Recipes
- Iced Lime Dandelion Tea Recipe
- Iced Turmeric Lemonade Recipe
- 10 Refreshing Infused Water Recipes (With Fruit & Herbs!)
- Refreshing Lemonade Recipe (With Probiotics)
Are you an iced tea drinker? What is your favorite summertime tea combination?
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