Peach Tea Whiskey Highball: An Easy, Refreshing Patio Cocktail

Peach tea, bourbon and a squeeze of lemon make a refreshing combination. Add a splash of club soda, and you have a peach tea whiskey highball that is easy to mix right in the glass.

This simple peach whiskey cocktail needs no shaker, homemade syrup or complicated preparation. Use your favorite chilled peach tea, adjust the sweetness to taste and enjoy a bright, bubbly drink for an afternoon on the patio.

Recipe Details

Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Equipment: Tall glass, measuring jigger and spoon

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
• 3 ounces chilled peach tea, sweetened or unsweetened
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 ounces chilled club soda
• Ice
• 1–2 teaspoons simple syrup, optional and to taste
• A lemon wheel and thin peach slice, optional, for garnish

Tea tip: Bottled peach tea works well for convenience. You can also brew peach-flavored tea according to its package instructions, then chill it completely before mixing.

How to Make a Peach Tea Whiskey Highball

1. Fill the glass: Add ice to a tall glass with enough room for the drink and garnish.
2. Add the base: Pour in the bourbon, chilled peach tea and lemon juice. Stir briefly.
3. Adjust the sweetness: Taste and add a little simple syrup if needed. Sweetened peach tea may not need any.
4. Add the bubbles: Top with club soda and stir gently once or twice.
5. Garnish and serve: Add a lemon wheel or peach slice and serve immediately.

What Does It Taste Like?

The peach tea brings a fruity flavor, while lemon adds brightness and balances the sweetness. Bourbon contributes its own oak, vanilla or caramel notes, depending on the bottle you choose.

Club soda lightens the mixture without adding more sugar. The result is a whiskey iced tea with a sparkling finish.

Tips for a Better Peach Tea Cocktail

• Chill the ingredients: Cold tea and club soda help keep the ice from melting too quickly.
• Start with less sweetener: Tea brands vary considerably in sweetness.
• Use fresh lemon: It gives the drink a lively finish.
• Add soda last: Gentle stirring helps preserve the carbonation.
• Choose a bourbon you enjoy: Its flavor remains part of the finished drink.

Make a Pitcher for Four

Combine the following in a pitcher:

• 6 ounces bourbon
• 12 ounces chilled peach tea
• 2 ounces fresh lemon juice
• Simple syrup to taste, optional

Stir and refrigerate until serving. Divide the mixture evenly among four ice-filled glasses, then top each with 2 ounces of club soda. Add the soda to individual glasses rather than the pitcher to keep it bubbly.

Easy Alcohol-Free Peach Tea Cooler

Replace the bourbon with an additional 1 1/2 ounces of chilled peach tea. Add the lemon juice and club soda as directed, then sweeten to taste.

For a caffeine-free version, choose a peach herbal tea labeled caffeine-free.

Simple Variations

Make It Less Sweet

Use unsweetened peach tea and skip the simple syrup. Add a little more club soda if you prefer a lighter tea flavor.

Try a Spicier Whiskey Profile

Substitute rye whiskey for the bourbon. Taste before adding sweetener because the balance will change with the whiskey.

Add Fresh Mint

Gently clap a small mint sprig between your hands and use it as a garnish. Keep the garnish modest so the peach and tea remain the main flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bottled peach tea?

Yes. Bottled peach tea makes this an especially easy cocktail. Taste it first so you can adjust the optional sweetener.

Do I need peach whiskey?

No. This recipe uses bourbon and gets its peach flavor from the tea. Peach-flavored whiskey will change the flavor and sweetness, so adjust the other ingredients if you substitute it.

Can I use sparkling water instead of club soda?

Yes. Plain, unflavored sparkling water works well. Tonic water has a different flavor and sweetness, so it will produce a different drink.

Can I make the drink ahead?

Mix the bourbon, tea and lemon juice ahead and refrigerate. Add ice and club soda immediately before serving.

Keep Patio Drinks Simple

A peach tea whiskey highball brings together familiar ingredients with very little preparation. Keep the tea cold, add the bubbles last and adjust the sweetness to suit your glass.

For a comfortable place to gather, explore Sunzout’s poly dining sets and deep seating furniture, or design and price your own outdoor kitchen.