Easter-Ready Sipping...Featuring Sugar Free Mint-Peach Tea Sipper #springsips #sugarfree #mocktail #peachtea #perfectforeaste

Sweet tea is as common here in Texas as in-season Hill Country peaches! However, I don't drink sugary beverages these days. So, I challenged myself to create a refreshing sweet tea beverage with zero refined sugar...and plenty of peachy goodness! I used monk fruit sweetener instead of granulated sugar to make a delicious mint simple syrup for this tea. It also features a refreshing sparkling peach puree. Instead of ice, this fruity tea is poured over frozen peach slices -- to amplify the peach flavor. This minty peach tea is perfect for sipping all Spring long, but would make an especially festive addition to your Easter entertaining this weekend!

The end result is a family-friendly mocktail that everyone who tasted raved about. It smells absolutely amazing...and tastes even better! Best of all, this tea can be made up to one day ahead and chilled in the fridge. Smells heavenly...tastes even better...and can be made ahead? That's a winning trifecta, friends! Wait until you see how simple it is to whip up a pitcher of this delicious sparkling fruit tea. 

Sugar Free Mint-Peach Tea Sipper

a Weekend Gourmet Original

Ingredients (makes 4-6 servings):

• 16-ounce package frozen organic peach slices
• 8 oz unsweetened peach-flavored sparkling water [NOTE: I used Peach bubly]
• Six peach tea bags + 4 cups water [NOTE: I used Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion]
• Additional sprigs of mint for garnish, if desired

For the sugar free mint simple syrup:

• 3/4 cup steeped peach tea
• 3/4 cup granulated monk fruit sweetener [NOTE: I used Splenda monk fruit jarred sweetener]
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

Directions:

Step 1: Make the sugar free simple syrup. Add the 3/4 cup steeped peach tea, monk fruit sweetener, and mint leaves to a medium saucepan. Heat over Medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sweetener is completely dissolved and the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool while you assemble the other tea components. This lets the mint fully release its oils. 

Step 2: Add water and tea bags to a large saucepan. Heat over Medium heat until the tea is simmering. Remove from heat and let tea cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Make the fresh peach puree. Add 1 cup of the frozen peaches and the peach sparkling water to a blender. Blend until peaches are completely smooth. 

Step 4: Pour the simple syrup -- including the mint leaves -- into a glass pitcher or carafe. Remove tea bags from the tea, and pour tea into a carafe. Finally, pour the sparkling peach puree into the carafe. Stir to completely combine. If not serving immediately, let the tea rest in the fridge. To serve, add frozen peach slices to each glass before pouring.

This sweet tea sipper is so tasty that NO ONE will miss the sugar! It's fruity from the addition of the fresh peach puree -- and you can taste the mint without it being overwhelming. I can't wait to whip up pitchers of this tea all Spring and Summer long -- I think it will pair perfectly with grilled chicken and seafood!