Perfect for Easter: Sugar Free Mint-Peach Tea Sipper #healthybeverage #sugarfree #lowcarb #peachtea #eastercelebration

Sweet tea is sacred here in Texas...but all that sugar isn't necessarily healthy. I don't drink sugary beverages these days, so I challenged myself to create a sweet tea punch with zero refined sugar and plenty of peachy goodness! I used stevia and monk fruit sweetener in place of granulated sugar to make a delicious mint simple syrup. This refreshing tea also features a fruity peach puree. Instead of ice, this tea is poured over frozen peach slices to amplify the peach flavor... and prevent the tea from becoming watered down. This minty peach tea is perfect for sipping all Spring long, but it's especially perfect to serve at any Easter entertaining you have planned this weekend!This southern tea is a family-friendly mocktail everyone will rave about. It smells absolutely amazing...and it tastes even better! Best of all, it can be made up to a day ahead and chilled in the fridge. Smells heavenly...tastes even better...and can be made ahead? That's a winning trifecta on a busy holiday weekend! 

Sugar Free Mint-Peach Tea Sipper

a Weekend Gourmet Original

Ingredients (makes 6-8 servings):

• 16-ounce package frozen organic peach slices -- do NOT thaw
• 8 oz unsweetened peach-flavored sparkling water
• Six peach tea bags + 4 3/4 cups water [NOTE: I use Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion]
• Additional sprigs of mint for garnish, if desired

For the sugar free mint simple syrup:

3/4 cup of the steeped peach tea
3/4 cup granulated stevia and monk fruit sweetener [NOTE: I use Whole Earth Stevia Lead & Monk Fruit sweetener.]

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

Step 1: Add 4 3/4 cups water and the peach tea bags to a large saucepan. Heat over Medium heat until the tea is simmering. Remove the pan from heat and let the tea cool to room temperature. Measure 3/4 cup of the steeped tea to make the simple syrup. 

Step 2: Make the simple syrup. Add the reserved 3/4 cup of steeped tea, granulated 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. Cook the mixture for 10-15 minutes until it reduces and becomes syrupy. Remove the pan from heat and let the syrup cool while you assemble the other tea components. This allows the mint to fully release its oils. 

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

Step 4: Pour the simple syrup -- including the mint leaves -- into a glass pitcher. Remove the tea bags from the tea, and pour the tea into the pitcher. Finally, pour the sparkling peach puree into the tea mixture. Stir to completely combine. If not serving immediately, let the finished tea rest in the fridge. 

To serve, add frozen peach slices to each glass before pouring in the tea. 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 the mint is refreshing without being overpowering. I can't wait to whip up pitchers of this tea on warm afternoons and evenings -- it pairs perfectly with grilled chicken and seafood!