Cold-Steeped Peach Ginger Iced Tea with Mint (No-Cook Camp Drink)
Drop black tea bags, sliced peaches and fresh ginger into a jug of cold water and steep it in the cooler for 6 to 8 hours. No stove or fire needed. Pull the bags, stir in maple syrup and lemon juice, add mint and ice, and serve. It takes about 10 minutes of hands-on work plus overnight steeping.
This is the iced tea you set up at night and pour at lunch. Cold water pulls out the smooth, mellow part of the tea and leaves most of the bitterness behind. Peaches and ginger add a soft sweetness and a little bite.
It needs no fire, no fuel and no pot to scrub. The jug rides in the cooler while you sleep or hike. Sweeten it right before serving so you can adjust it to the crowd.
Cold-Steeped Peach Ginger Iced Tea with Mint (No-Cook Camp Drink)
- Prep
- 10 min
- Serves
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Heat
- No heat (cold steep in cooler)
- Pack weight
- 5 lb
- Campfire
- Camp stove
- Backpacking
- Cooler required
- No stove
- Some water
- One-pan cleanup
- Prep ahead
Ingredients
Gear you'll need
- 2-quart lidded jug or large jar
- cooler
- small knife
- small cutting board
- long spoon
- 6 cups
- small cup for mixing syrup
Steps
-
Slice the fruit
Wash the peaches and cut them into thin wedges, skin on. Slice the ginger into thin coins, no need to peel.
-
Load the jug
Put the tea bags, peaches and ginger in a clean 2-quart jug or large jar. Pour in the cold water and push everything under with a spoon.
-
Chill and steep
Seal the lid and set the jug upright in the cooler. Steep 6 to 8 hours. Keep the cooler at 40°F or colder.
-
Pull the bags
Lift out the tea bags and let them drain without squeezing. Squeezing releases bitter tannins. Leave the peaches and ginger in.
-
Sweeten and brighten
Stir the maple syrup into the lemon juice in a cup until loose, then pour it into the jug. Taste and add more syrup if you like it sweeter.
-
Add mint
Clap the mint sprigs between your palms to wake up the oils. Drop them in the jug and give it a gentle stir.
-
Pour over ice
Fill cups with ice and pour the tea over. Add a few peach slices to each cup.
Trail Notes
Steep it the night before in the cooler. Slice the peaches and ginger at home and pack them in a zip bag to save camp prep time.
Pack out the used tea bags, peach pits and ginger scraps. Don't toss them in the woods or a fire ring. Dump spent ice at least 200 feet from water.
Steep in a shaded, cool spot for no more than 4 hours, then drink it the same day. Toss any leftovers that sit warm overnight.
Use green tea for a lighter drink, but steep it only 4 hours so it stays sweet. Nectarines or a cup of frozen peaches also work. Frozen fruit helps keep the jug cold.
Campers ask
Can you make cold brew iced tea without cooking?
Yes. Tea steeps fine in cold water, it just takes longer. Plan on 6 to 8 hours in a cooler for black tea.
How long does cold-steeped tea last at camp?
Keep it at 40°F or colder and drink it within 24 hours. With fruit in the jug, it is best the same day.
Why does cold-steeped tea taste smoother?
Cold water pulls out fewer bitter compounds than boiling water does. You get a mellow, slightly sweet cup without much effort.
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