T.E.A. Those three sweet letters. Yep. I am a tea lover and peach oolong tea served over ice is right up my alley. There was a time when iced teas were the only beverage I used to order in any restaurant. But the amount of sugar and the other nasties brought enlightenment and I have since brewed my own tea, iced and otherwise. This peachy tea is just what you need, this summer.
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Where I live, it is very hard to come by good quality peaches. We can get nectarines but not peaches. So it is no surprise that I go to town when I do find these stone fruits. Now, before I share the main recipe, here is something you should know- we are going to brew this tea in the Instant Pot because…..
Instant Pot Iced Tea
is just effortless, easy and mind-blowingly simple. Yet, it gives the best flavored iced tea every single time. You have to trust me on this. One pot, dump everything in and that is almost it. If you count the straining step, then yes, it is basically a three step recipe.
Jump to:
What is oolong tea?
For a tea connoisseur, this will be a familiar term. But if you are new to the world of tea, then let me introduce you to this variety. If I have to name a favorite tea, it has to be oolong.
Did you know that green, black and oolong tea come from the same plant? They are classified based on how much they are oxidised. Oolong tea leaves are partially oxidized and then treated to heat.
For making this iced tea, I have used heavily roasted oolong. This variety is quite popular in China and can be sourced on Amazon or in tea boutiques.
How to brew oolong tea?
If you are wondering how to brew a great cup of oolong, then begin by boiling the water well. Add a tsp of oolong tea leaves to about 150 ml ( 5 oz ) water. Let it steep for about 2 minutes. Strain and enjoy immediately.
For the best tasting oolong tea, I recommend that you brew smaller quantities. It is also a tea that calls for a shorter brewing time in water that is just off-boiling or boiling water.
Variations
While peach and oolong is a fantastic combination, you can create so many variations using peaches and tea. Here are some possibilities.
Peach Green Tea
Use green tea bags instead of oolong in this recipe. Switch the thyme to mint. The result is a refreshing fruity green tea that can be sipped during breakfast or on a warm sunny afternoon.
Make it a bubble tea
Add brown sugar Boba pearls or peach flavored Boba pearls to make this a fun and cute looking drink.
Peaches and Cream Milk Tea
Serve this like a chai latte. Use black tea instead of oolong to brew this tea. Skip the thyme and lemons. Strain the brewed tea. Let it cool completely. When ready, make peaches and cream milk tea by combining 2 oz brewed tea, 4 oz chilled milk and 1/4 cup evaporated milk.
Sweeten with maple syrup if desired. Add peach flavored Boba pearls. Serve over ice cubes. One word- delicious.
Make ahead and shelf life
If you plan to serve this at a party, you can make this tea 2 days ahead and let it sit in the refrigerator till you are ready to serve. The flavors will also have infused well by this time.
This iced tea keeps well for 5 days in the fridge when stored in a covered non-reactive container like a glass jug.
Dietary specifications
This recipe is free from
- Soy
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Nuts
If you are serving this to a crowd, make sure to check if anyone is allergic to peaches. We use maple syrup as a sweetener here but you can also use stevia, raw cane sugar and serve this without any sweeteners. This is a naturally vegan drink.
Recipe Notes
- If you like a milder tea, reduce the number of tea bags to 3.
- Adjust the sweetness as per your liking. You can also use raw cane sugar, stevia or agave nectar or monk fruit extract as your choice of sweeteners.
- You can substitute the fresh thyme with dried thyme if you cannot source it fresh. But since dried herbs are more potent, you will require only 1 tsp dried thyme for this recipe.
- Allow the tea to become chilled for best flavor and taste.
- You can freeze leftover iced tea cubes and add them to your water for a refreshing taste.
Method
Instant Pot Peach Tea
Steps 1 and 2
Insert the inner pot into the Instant Pot. Add water, oolong tea bags, maple syrup, chopped peach slices, thyme sprigs and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Ensure that the sealing ring has been fitted properly into the lid.
Close the Instant pot, turn the VALVE to SEALING and plug in. Press PRESSURE COOK-HIGH PRESSURE and set the timer to 15 MINUTES. Allow the cooking cycle to complete.
Steps 3 and 4
When the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick pressure release. Fish out the tea bags and thyme. Discard both.
Steps 5 and 6
Gently mash the peach slices using a potato masher and let the mixture sit undisturbed for 1 hour.
After an hour, and transfer the tea to a clean non-reactive container. Let it cool completely. When cooled, refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.
Serve chilled over ice cubes and a squeeze of lemon. Add some lemon wedges to pretty up your drink.
Peach Iced Tea -Stovetop Method
To a heavy bottomed pan, add 4 cups water and chopped peaches along with maple syrup. Simmer the mixture till peaches are soft. When the peaches have softened, add the thyme and oolong tea bags. Simmer for just 1 minute.
Immediately, take off heat and let the mixture stand undisturbed for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, fish out the thyme and tea bags. Discard them. Use a potato masher and gently mash the peaches. Add lemon juice. Stir to combine. This is our peach tea syrup.
Let this cool completely. When cool, refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving. To serve, combine 4 fl.oz of peach tea syrup with 6 fl.oz chilled water along with a squeeze of lemon. Serve chilled over ice cubes.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Iced Peach Oolong Tea
Equipment
- 1 6 quart Instant Pot
- 1 pair of tongs
- 1 Potato masher
- 1 Strainer
Ingredients
- 4 cups water (32 fl.oz)
- 10 oz pitted and chopped peaches
- 4 oolong tea bags
- 1-2 thyme sprig
- 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
To serve
- 4 lemon wedges
- 1 cup ice cubes or as required
Instructions
Instant Pot Peach Tea
- Insert the inner pot into the Instant Pot.
- Add water, oolong tea bags, maple syrup, chopped peach slices, thyme sprigs and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Ensure that the sealing ring has been fitted properly into the lid.
- Close the Instant pot, turn the VALVE to SEALING and plug in.
- Press PRESSURE COOK-HIGH PRESSURE and set the timer to 15 MINUTES.
- Allow the cooking cycle to complete.
- When the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick pressure release.
- Fish out the tea bags and thyme. Discard both
- Gently mash the peach slices using a potato masher and let the mixture sit undisturbed for 1 hour.
- After an hour, and transfer the tea to a clean non-reactive container.
- Let it cool completely.
- When cooled, refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.
- Serve chilled over ice cubes and a squeeze of lemon.
- Add some lemon wedges to pretty up your drink.
Peach Iced Tea -Stovetop Method
- To a heavy bottomed pan, add 4 cups water and chopped peaches along with maple syrup.
- Simmer the mixture till peaches are soft.
- When the peaches have softened, add the thyme and oolong tea bags.
- Simmer for just 1 minute.
- Immediately, take off heat and let the mixture stand undisturbed for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, fish out the thyme and tea bags. Discard them.
- Use a potato masher and gently mash the peaches.
- Add lemon juice.
- Stir to combine.
- This is our peach tea syrup.
- Let this cool completely.
- When cool, refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving.
- To serve, combine 4 fl.oz of peach tea syrup with 6 fl.oz water along with a squeeze of lemon.
- Serve chilled over ice cubes.
Notes
- If you like a milder tea, reduce the number of tea bags to 3.
- Adjust the sweetness as per your liking. You can also use raw cane sugar, stevia or agave nectar or monk fruit extract as your choice of sweeteners.
- You can substitute the fresh thyme with dried thyme if you cannot source it fresh. But since dried herbs are more potent, you will require only 1 tsp dried thyme for this recipe.
- Allow the tea to become chilled for best flavor and taste.
- You can freeze leftover iced tea cubes and add them to your water for a refreshing taste.
For Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
Instant Pot timings may vary based on your geographic location. Air fryer settings and timings may vary based on the capacity and the model of the Air fryer.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are provided here as a courtesy and are only a rough guide. Please consult a health care provider if you have any concerns.
Nutrition
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