Juicy peaches bring a soft, fragrant sweetness to hojicha, a roasted green tea with toasty, nutty, and gently smoky notes of roasted grain and caramel. Fresh thyme adds an earthy, aromatic, and herbaceous layer that complements the tea’s smooth finish. Flash chilled in minutes, the tea is then infused with peaches and thyme directly in the pitcher for three hours, allowing the flavors to develop naturally. This Peach & Thyme Iced Hojicha Tea is layered, fragrant, and refreshing.
Peach & Thyme Iced Hojicha Tea Recipe
Makes: One 2-quart Iced Tea Maker pitcher
Ingredients
For the Hojicha Tea
8 tablespoons loose-leaf hojicha tea
4 cups water
3 tablespoons honey
Ice, for flash chilling
For the Peach & Thyme Infusion
2 peaches, sliced
8 sprigs fresh thyme
For Serving
Ice
1. Prepare the Peaches and Thyme
Before brewing the tea, slice 2 peaches and rinse 8 sprigs of fresh thyme. Set aside while you prepare the hojicha tea.
2. Add Tea
Add 8 tablespoons of loose-leaf hojicha tea to the tea infuser with the extender attached. Twist the infuser with the extender into the lid.
3. Add Water and Brew
Heat 4 cups of water to 200°F.
Pour the hot water into the Iced Tea Maker, filling it halfway.
Slowly lower the tea infuser into the water and twist once, allowing steam to vent. Do not seal the lid closed while steam is venting.
Steep the hojicha for 2 minutes. Once brewed, lift the top handle of the lid with the infuser attached out of the tea. Place it into the infuser holder and twist to detach the infuser from the lid.
While the hojicha is still hot, add 3 tablespoons of honey and stir until fully dissolved.
4. Flash Chill
Fill the entire pitcher with ice. Seal the lid airtight and shake for 30 seconds to flash chill. Clean the infuser immediately.
5. Infuse with Peach and Thyme
After flash chilling, remove 1⅓ cups of iced hojicha tea from the pitcher to create room for the peaches and thyme.
For extra flavor, gently smack each thyme sprig between your hands to release its natural oils and help the herbs infuse more easily.
Add the sliced peaches and prepared thyme sprigs directly to the Iced Tea Maker. Seal the lid airtight and shake gently for 60 seconds to begin releasing the flavors of the peaches and thyme.
Refrigerate for 3 hours, allowing the hojicha tea to infuse with the fruit and herbs. Store the pitcher upright or on its side. Enjoy the reserved iced hojicha while you wait for the infusion.
6. Serve
Fill each glass with ice. Twist the pitcher lid open, aligning the arrow on the lid with the spout for a steady pour.
Pour the Peach & Thyme Iced Hojicha Tea over the ice. Garnish with a fresh peach slice or sprig of thyme, if desired.
After serving, seal the lid airtight and store the pitcher in the refrigerator, upright or on its side.
