Peach and Saffron Iced Tea | Easy Summer Drink

When the temperature rises, there's nothing quite like sipping on a chilled glass of something refreshing. Peach and Saffron Iced Tea combines the juicy sweetness of ripe peaches with the distinctive aroma of saffron and the earthy flavour of rooibos tea.

The peaches are blended into a smooth purée, while Saffronice Saffron Threads are bloomed separately in warm water before being combined with freshly brewed rooibos tea.

Honey and fresh lemon juice are stirred into the tea before it is chilled and served over ice.

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Why You'll Love This Peach and Saffron Iced Tea

This iced tea brings together a simple combination of fruit, tea and saffron.

Ripe peaches provide natural sweetness and a fresh summer flavour, while rooibos tea creates a smooth, caffeine-free base. Saffron adds its distinctive aroma and golden hue without overpowering the peaches.

The finished tea is chilled for at least 1 hour before being served over ice, with fresh peach slices or mint as optional garnishes.

The Allure of Saffron

Saffron has been valued for centuries and is used across many different cuisines. Its distinctive crimson threads bring a recognisable aroma, flavour and golden colour to both sweet and savoury recipes.

From biryanis and risottos to desserts and drinks, only a small quantity is usually needed.

In this iced tea, saffron complements the peaches' sweetness while adding another aromatic layer to the rooibos.

Tips for Identifying Quality Saffron

Bowel of Saffron threads

When choosing saffron threads, pay attention to:

Aroma: Saffron should have a noticeable and distinctive aroma.
Colour: Look for predominantly deep crimson-red threads.
Appearance: The threads should be recognisable rather than looking like an unidentified powder or mixture.

Starting with good-quality saffron is especially helpful in a simple recipe like iced tea, where there aren't many other strong ingredients competing with it.

Ingredients

For the Peach & Saffron Iced Tea

2 ripe peaches (about 300 g), peeled and sliced
10–15 Saffronice Saffron Threads
2 tablespoons (30 ml) warm water, for blooming the saffron
4 cups (960 ml) water
2 rooibos tea bags
1–2 tablespoons (20–40 g) honey, or sweetener of choice, to taste
1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes, for serving

Optional Garnishes

Fresh peach slices
Fresh mint leaves

Let's Make Peach and Saffron Iced Tea

Filling glasses with Peach and Saffron Iced Tea.

Step 1 – Bloom the Saffron & Brew the Tea

Place the Saffronice Saffron Threads in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) warm water and leave them to bloom for approximately 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring 4 cups (960 ml) water to a boil. Add the rooibos tea bags, steep for approximately 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.

Step 2 – Prepare the Peaches

Peel and slice the peaches, then blend until smooth.

Step 3 – Combine & Chill

Pour the cooled rooibos tea into a large pitcher.

Add the peach purée, saffron infusion including the threads, honey and fresh lemon juice. Stir thoroughly until combined.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Step 4 – Serve

Fill tall glasses with ice and pour over the chilled Peach and Saffron Iced Tea.

Garnish with fresh peach slices or mint leaves and serve cold.

Using Rooibos Tea

Brew 2 rooibos tea bags in 4 cups (960 ml) water for approximately 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and allow the tea to cool.

Once cooled, combine the rooibos tea with the peach purée and saffron infusion.

Preparing the Peaches

Peel and slice 2 ripe peaches, then blend them until smooth.

Add the peach purée to the cooled rooibos tea along with the saffron infusion, honey and lemon juice.

Expert Tips

A few simple steps will help you get a refreshing iced tea with a good balance of peach, saffron and rooibos.

Use ripe peaches. Peel and blend them into a smooth purée before adding them to the tea.
Bloom the saffron first. Give the threads approximately 10 minutes in warm water.
Use warm water for the saffron. Leave the threads to bloom for approximately 10 minutes.
Let the rooibos tea cool. Combine it with the other ingredients after removing the tea bags and allowing it to cool.
Sweeten to taste. The amount of honey you need will depend on the ripeness of the peaches.
Chill before serving. Give the combined tea at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Add ice when serving. Fill the glasses with ice before pouring in the chilled tea.
Garnish at the end. Fresh peach slices and mint make a simple finishing touch.

What to Serve with Peach and Saffron Iced Tea

This refreshing drink pairs naturally with light meals, snacks and summer dishes.

Serve it alongside fresh fruit, light salads, sandwiches or simple baked treats for an afternoon drink.

It would also work well as a chilled non-alcoholic drink for picnics, brunches or outdoor meals.

Storage

Keep the Peach and Saffron Iced Tea covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Stir the tea before pouring if the peach purée has separated during refrigeration.

Add ice to individual glasses when serving.

More Saffron Drinks & Sweet Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this chilled peach and saffron drink, explore more refreshing and sweet ways to use saffron.

Saffron Tea offers a simple way to enjoy the distinctive aroma and flavour of saffron in a warm drink.
Refreshing Saffron Honey Drink combines saffron and honey in another easy drink preparation.
Persian Saffron Ice Cream combines saffron with rose water and pistachios in a creamy frozen dessert.

From chilled saffron drinks to tea and frozen desserts, these recipes offer more ways to explore saffron in sweeter preparations.

Ready to Make Peach and Saffron Iced Tea?

Bloom the Saffronice Saffron Threads, brew the rooibos tea and blend ripe peaches into a smooth purée.

Combine everything with honey and fresh lemon juice, then chill for at least an hour.

Serve over plenty of ice with fresh peach slices or mint for a refreshing Peach and Saffron Iced Tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Peach and Saffron Iced Tea?

Peach and Saffron Iced Tea is a chilled drink made with fresh peaches, rooibos tea, Saffronice Saffron Threads, honey and lemon juice. It is chilled before being served over ice.

What type of saffron should I use?

Use Saffronice Saffron Threads. Bloom the threads in warm water before adding both the saffron and infused water to the tea.

How can I identify quality saffron?

Look for saffron with predominantly deep crimson-red threads, a recognisable thread-like appearance and a distinctive aroma.

What ingredients do I need to make Peach and Saffron Iced Tea?

You'll need fresh peaches, Saffronice Saffron Threads, rooibos tea bags, water, honey or another sweetener, fresh lemon juice and ice.

Fresh peach slices and mint leaves can also be added as optional garnishes.

Does the saffron need to bloom?

Yes. Place the Saffronice Saffron Threads in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) warm water and leave them to bloom for approximately 10 minutes. Add both the threads and infused water to the tea.