You're planning a summertime gathering with friends and family and want to add a fruity cocktail to your menu. You don't want something too strong - but at the same time, iced tea by itself can seem plain.
Our peach tea sangria recipe hits the spot - slightly sweet, a bit boozy, full of flavor and customizable in multiple regards. If you have some packets of Buddy State's Peach Punk Tea, here's how you can get started:
What is Sangria?
Sangria is the quintessential summertime cocktail that's open to a plethora of interpretations - including using iced tea, various fruits and a choice of wine. In many cases, you likely have all ingredients at home already.
While the drink is considered a Spanish recipe, due to its presence at the Spain pavilion at the 1964 World's Fair and a name meaning "blood" in the language, its roots go back to a Greco-Roman beverage combining wine, sugar and spices. Today, Sangria traditionally starts with a red wine base, adds a sweetener and includes something bubbly plus various fruits.
Putting Together Your Peach Tea Sangria Recipe
As a starting spot, you'll want to have a wine on hand, some kind of sweetener, a liqueur, something carbonated and fruit.
Wine
Traditionally, sangria starts with a red wine - Rioja or something Tempranillo based. On the other hand, red wines can be too overpowering for peach tea, and in this case, you're advised to start with a rosé or a dry white wine, including pinot grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or a French Riesling. In all cases, think about the fruits you'll pair it with: Rosé better suits mellower fruits like melons and peaches, and white wines complement citrusy, apple and berry notes.
A Sweetener
Should you be starting with Buddy State's Peach Punk tea, the sweetness is already built into the recipe and creates a healthy, low sugar take on a traditional sangria. In the event you want to enhance this aspect, traditional sangria recipes add a quarter- to half-cup of simple syrup.
A Liqueur
This rounds out the flavor profile and ups the booziness. If you're treading close to cocktail territory - and less an alcoholic punch - combine the wine and peach tea with a quarter- to half-cup each of brandy, triple sec or Cointreau.
Carbonated
For a bubbly, almost champagne-like texture, add a couple of cups to a liter of soda water or club soda to the recipe.
Fruit
Get creative - but also think about what complements the wine and peach iced tea base. Consider basing your medley around:
- Melon
- Granny smith apples
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Lemon and lime
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
And, to accent the peach notes, slice up a whole fresh peach for your recipe.
Mixing It All Together
Once you have all ingredients selected:
- Pour the wine, liqueurs, sweetener, soda water and peach iced tea into a pitcher or punch bowl.
- Following, add all fruits, chopped up.
- If you intend to serve it with brunch or your next meal, make sure your peach tea sangria sits for at least 15 minutes - ideally two hours to let the flavors blend together.
- Or, make the recipe at least a day in advance, and then add some chopped fruit immediately before serving.