Sugar Free Peach Iced Tea

There are just some flavour combinations that are a match made in heaven, for me peaches and tea is just that. Peach iced tea is very popular but can be loaded with sugar, so you're consuming a lot of calories when you're really after a light  refreshing drink. This iced tea is made using a sugar free peach syrup and brewed black tea. This is a perfect beverage for entertaining at barbeques on hot summer days. You could up the ante and add a nip of vodka per serve for a refreshingly light and low calorie alcoholic drink.

This recipe will make up to 10 serves depending on the size of your glasses.

Here's what you need:

1 cup xylitol - can be found in the health food section of your supermarket or health food stores

1 cup water

2 ripe peaches - peeled, deseeded and sliced

8 cups of brewed black tea - cooled down

Additional fresh sliced peaches & mint, thyme or rosemary for garnish.

Lots of ice

Here's how to make it:

1. Bring the xylitol, water and peaches to the boil in a small saucepan, lower the heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Crush the peaches with the back of a wooden spoon. Cool down for 10 minutes and transfer the mix to a blender, something like a nutribullet to really combine the flavours and remove any peach lumps. Blitz for up to 60 seconds. Set aside and cool.

2. Brew 8 cups of black tea either using loose leaf tea or teabags following the packet instructions. For a weaker tea flavour brew for less time - do not brew for longer than 5 minutes. Once the tea is brewed remove tea bags or strain the tea leaves, transfer to a jug and place in the fridge to cool down for a few hours.

3. To serve fill your glasses up with ice, add 30ml of peach syrup and top up with the black tea, give it a stir with a long handled spoon or swizzle stick. Taste, if you like it a bit sweeter add more syrup. Garnish with freshly sliced peaches and mint.

4. Sit back relax and enjoy.