Rooibos iced tea is made with freshly juiced peaches & loose red rooibos tea. Pour it over ice for a cool, refreshing drink that’s not overly sweet.
One of my favorite parts of traveling takes place in my own home.
Far away from airports, train stations, and freeways, the joy of traveling begins at the planning stages. The anticipation is part of the adventure.
In fact, I’ve been known to do online searches for good flight deals, even when I have no vacation days looming in the near future. I check out restaurants a million miles away or scope out what plays are happening in the West End.
Even if my passport is still tucked away, the one in my mind is ready for exploration.
And while anticipation is a sweet part of travel, the most long-lived joys are the memories.
As much delight as one feels hopping on trains in far-flung places, perhaps even more happiness occurs in the years that follow.
Whether looking through picture albums, putting a wooden topper from Switzerland into a wine bottle, or making a cup of English breakfast tea, these trinkets and treats are touchstones to times of bliss.
In the spirit of that, today I’m sharing a drink that was inspired by a trip to Kansas City. Just a sip and in my mind I’m still relaxing with my husband along the Plaza or taking pictures at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum.
Even while “the daily grind” calls, a part of me is reveling on holiday.
While on vacation in Kansas City a long while back, I had a red rooibos drink at Café Gratitude. On the menu, it’s called I Am Love.
Made with rooibos, hibiscus, peach, orange, and tangerine, it ticked all of the boxes for a refreshing hit of summer in a glass. It was light and sweet, without being syrupy or saccharine.
What is Red Rooibos?
Red Rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss) has been one of my favorite teas (actually a tisane) for many years.
I buy loose rooibos straight from the bulk tea section at my local Co-op. It’s also available at practically any tea shop, bagged and loose.
Also called Red Bush Tea, this South African beverage is naturally caffeine-free with its own natural, mild sweetness. It can be enjoyed hot in the chilly winter months. But it is also beautiful iced.
It’s high in antioxidants and low in tannins. It also contains minerals like copper, manganese, fluoride, zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
After our trip to Kansas City, I started making my Rooibos along with fresh peach juice. My peach rooibos iced tea recipe is a simple one (much simpler than you’d find at Café Gratitude). But it takes me back to a weekend getaway and sunny summer days.
How to make this fruity iced tea
Start by filling a tea ball with loose Rooibos tea. (If you’d prefer, you can use a tea press or bagged tea.)
Allow the tea to steep for five to ten minutes. Remove the ball and pour the tea into a pitcher.
Remove the pits from two peaches. Juice the peaches. Then pour the peach juice into the pitcher with the tea.
Refrigerate the peach rooibos tea until you’re ready to drink it. Or pour it into glasses over ice.
If your peaches are on the sour side or you just prefer your tea a little sweeter, add a touch of agave syrup or vegan honey (made from apples).
Enjoy each refreshing sip!
Peach rooibos iced tea
Ingredients
- 4 cups hot water
- 1 Tablespoon loose Rooibos
- 2 medium-sized peaches pitted
- agave syrup or vegan honey, to taste (Optional)
Instructions
- Steep the Rooibos in hot water in a tea-press, coffee-press, or with a tea ball in a jar for 5-10 minutes. Press the tea or remove the tea ball. Then pour it into a pitcher. (Feel free to use bagged Rooibos for this recipe. Simply make four cups of Rooibos and continue as follows.)
- Juice two pitted peaches in a juicer. Add juice to the Rooibos and combine. Pour over ice immediately and/or refrigerate.
- If you'd like for your tea to be a little sweeter, add agave syrup or vegan honey to taste.
Nutrition
Here are more recipes inspired by travel:
- Vegan reuben jackfruit sandwich
- Pierogi-style vegan quesadilla with ranch
- Vegan black bean burritos with plantains
- Raw tacos with walnut filling
- Vegan burrito bowl with lentils & black beans
- Double hummus wraps
- Kale guacamole
- Farmers market juice with tomatoes & cucumber
Originally posted August 2012. Content updated May 2019.
glutenfreehappytummy
wow Cadry that looks so refreshing and inviting!!
Cadry
Thanks, Caralyn!
Kristy
I’m not really a tea drinker, but this looks so amazing and refreshing! I’m tempted to go to Cafe Gratitude and try one! Wowzers!
Cadry
Have you tried Rooibos? You might be won over. It’s not like your typical tea; there’s no bitterness at all. It has almost a fruity quality to it.
Richa
that is a gorgeous color! so refreshing and summery.
Cadry
Thanks, Richa! As much as I love hot Rooibos in the winter, it’s certainly a treat to enjoy it with in-season peaches and chunks of ice! 🙂
Andrea (@cookeasyvegan)
Rooibus is a favorite of mine, too. I love to keep a pitcher of iced tea in the refrigerator to cool the hot summer days. At least I did when I lived in a city that actually HAD hot summer days! Combining rooibus with peach is a really smart idea, and I happen to have a case of organic peaches on hand. Alas, no juicer. Perhaps I’ll blend peaches and rooibus in the Vitamix. 🙂
Cadry
A CASE of peaches? Lucky you! I made this drink in the Vitamix yesterday, and it tastes great that way! Plus, there’s the added benefit that the Vitamix is a million times easier to clean than the juicer. I’ll be making it that way from now on!
Jenny
Okay, now I know I’ve been pronouncing rooibus wrong all of this time. 🙂 I totally know what you mean about traveling. I do the same thing. I’ve said before that I don’t know which I prefer more – traveling or actually just the planning/anticipation.
Cadry
Good planning is so worth it too when you reap the dividends of seeing exciting places, staying in comfort, and eating delicious treats!
veganlinda
I am going to make this smoothie style. A friend just gave us peaches from his tree. I can’t wait to taste it.
Cadry
Good idea, Linda! I just made this in my Vitamix yesterday, and it tasted great that way. Plus, it was so much easier to clean than my juicer, which has to be scrubbed in multiple parts.
GiGi
Perfect fruity tea brew for a staycation!
Cadry
Absolutely!
Susan
This looks lovely.
Peppermint tea is my forever, but after that I love rooibos teas.
Cadry
Thanks, Susan! I like that rooibos has natural sweetness without needing any sweetener. I always enjoy mint too, but for whatever reason, I rarely get it unless I’m at a restaurant or teahouse.
Shannon Skinner
This looks amazing, so refreshing!
Shannon
Cadry
Thank you, Shannon! It’s very refreshing, indeed. 🙂