Sparkling Sweet Peach Tea with Cinnamon & Star Anise

A refreshing sparkling peach tea made with bold black tea, homemade spiced peach syrup, cinnamon, and star anise. Finished with sparkling water and fresh peach slices, this lightly fizzy iced tea is sweet, bright, cozy, and perfect for summer afternoons.

Course Drink, Iced Tea, Refreshment, Summer Beverage

Cuisine American, Fusion, Southern-Inspired

Keyword black tea peach recipe, cinnamon star anise drink, homemade peach syrup, iced black tea, iced peach tea, peach beverage, peach cinnamon tea, sparkling peach tea, sparkling tea, spiced peach tea, star anise tea, summer drinks, summer tea, sweet iced tea, sweet peach drink

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Chill Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings 4 drinks

Calories 180kcal

Cost $4 for entire recipe

Equipment

Small saucepan
Knife and cutting board
Fine-mesh strainer or sieve
Spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Heatproof pitcher or large jar
Tea kettle or pot for boiling water
Ice cube tray (optional)
Serving glasses

Ingredients

Spiced Peach Syrup

2 large ripe peaches thinly sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 star anise pod
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract optional
Tiny pinch of salt

Tea Base

4 black tea bags Ceylon preferred
3 cups hot water

Finishing

1 cup cold plain sparkling water or club soda
Plenty of ice
Thin peach slices for garnish
Optional fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Make the Spiced Peach Syrup

Add peaches, sugar, water, cinnamon stick, star anise, and salt to a small saucepan.
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the star anise after about 4 minutes so the spice flavor stays subtle.
Once the peaches are soft and fragrant, remove from heat.
Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
Let cool for 10–15 minutes.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, lightly pressing the peaches to release the syrup.
Refrigerate until fully chilled.

Brew the Tea

Bring water just to a boil.
Pour over the tea bags.
Steep for 5 minutes.
Remove tea bags without squeezing them.
Chill completely before assembling the drink.

Assemble the Sparkling Peach Tea

Combine the chilled tea and chilled peach syrup in a pitcher.
Taste and add a little more lemon juice if desired.
Right before serving, gently stir in the sparkling water.
Fill glasses generously with ice.
Pour the tea over the ice.
Garnish with peach slices and optional mint.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Use Ripe Peaches for the Best Flavor

Very ripe peaches create the sweetest and most flavorful peach syrup. Slightly soft peaches work best because they break down quickly and release more juice during simmering.

Ceylon Tea Gives the Brightest Flavor

Ceylon black tea is ideal for this sparkling peach tea because it has a lighter, citrusy flavor that keeps the drink refreshing. English breakfast tea works well for a richer and slightly bolder version.

Don’t Overcook the Peach Syrup

Keep the syrup at a gentle simmer instead of a rapid boil. Overcooking can dull the fresh peach flavor and make the drink taste more like jam than iced tea.

Remove the Star Anise Early

Star anise becomes stronger as the syrup cools. Removing it after about 4–5 minutes keeps the spice warm and subtle without overpowering the peach flavor.

Chill Everything Before Adding Sparkling Water

For the best fizz, make sure both the tea and peach syrup are fully chilled before adding sparkling water. Warm liquid causes carbonation to disappear quickly.

Add Sparkling Water Right Before Serving

Sparkling water loses carbonation over time, so always stir it in immediately before serving for the freshest bubbly texture.

Use Plenty of Ice

A full glass of ice keeps the tea crisp and refreshing while slightly balancing the sweetness as the ice slowly melts.

Adjust Sweetness Easily

This recipe creates a balanced sweet tea. If you prefer a sweeter Southern-style peach tea, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of sugar to the syrup.

Storage Tips

Store the peach tea base in the refrigerator for up to 3 days without sparkling water. Add the sparkling water only when serving to keep the drink fizzy and fresh tasting.