If you’re craving a refreshing, fruity, and delightfully unexpected twist on classic sangria, this Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe is exactly what you need. Combining the subtle fizz and floral notes of Moscato with the nostalgic sweetness of homemade sweet tea, plus vibrant peaches, raspberries, and lemons, this drink is a summer showstopper. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, brunch with friends, or just unwinding on a sunny afternoon, this sangria brings together southern charm and Mediterranean flair in every sip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients that work harmoniously to create layers of flavor and color. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to balance sweetness, tartness, and fruitiness, ensuring every glass is a burst of summer goodness.
- 1 bottle Moscato: This sweet and lightly sparkling white wine provides a perfect base with floral and fruity notes.
- 7½ cups sweet tea: Homemade or store-bought, the rich, sweet tea adds that comforting southern sweetness and depth.
- ¼ cup Triple Sec: Adds a subtle orange flavor and a touch of sophistication to brighten the sangria.
- 2 cups sliced frozen peaches: Frozen peaches are ideal for chilling the drink while infusing sweet, juicy flavors.
- 1½ cups fresh raspberries: These add a pop of tartness and a vibrant ruby color that looks stunning in the pitcher.
- 2 lemons, sliced: Fresh lemon slices provide a citrusy zing to balance the sweetness and add freshness.
- Fresh mint for serving: A handful of mint sprigs elevates the aroma and adds a cool, refreshing finish.
How to Make Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
Start by grabbing a large pitcher where all the magic will happen. Pour in the bottle of Moscato, then add the sweet tea and the Triple Sec. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the flavors before the fruit makes its debut.
Step 2: Add the Fruit
Next, toss in the sliced frozen peaches, fresh raspberries, and lemon slices. These fresh and frozen fruits not only chill the sangria naturally but also infuse the drink with wonderful fruity undertones as they mingle with the wine and tea.
Step 3: Chill and Infuse
Cover your pitcher and place it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This waiting time lets all the flavors marry beautifully, transforming the sangria into the perfect refreshing cocktail you’re dreaming of.
Step 4: Serve Over Ice
When your sangria is well chilled and infused, give it one last stir, then pour over a glass full of ice. Finish with a sprig of fresh mint to add a breath of fresh, garden-fresh aroma with every sip.
How to Serve Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is where you can get a little creative and make your sangria feel extra special. Aside from the fresh mint sprigs, consider adding a lemon wheel on the rim of each glass or a few extra raspberries dropped in for a delightful pop of color and taste. It’s a simple touch that will impress your guests and elevate the overall experience.
Side Dishes
Since this Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe shines with its light and fruity profile, pairing it with light bites makes perfect sense. Think fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette, grilled chicken skewers, shrimp ceviche, or even a cheese platter featuring tangy goat cheese and crackers. The sangria’s sweetness cuts through savory and salty flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or casual get-together, try serving your Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe in a clear glass dispenser so everyone can admire the vibrant fruit suspended inside the liquid. Or serve in mason jars for a rustic, charming touch. If you’re feeling festive, rim glasses with sugar or lightly crushed mint leaves for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sangria keeps fantastic in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just cover the pitcher tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Give it a good stir before serving again to redistribute the fruit flavors.
Freezing
This sweet tea sangria is best enjoyed fresh or chilled. Freezing isn’t recommended because the wine and tea can lose their delicate balance, and the fruit textures will become mushy after thawing.
Reheating
Unlike mulled wine, sangria is meant to be served cold, so reheating is not advised. Instead, keep some fresh ingredients on hand and quickly make a new batch if needed for larger gatherings or refills.
FAQs
Can I use regular black tea instead of sweet tea?
Absolutely! If you prefer, brew your own black tea and sweeten it to taste with sugar or honey. Just make sure it’s well chilled before adding to your sangria so it doesn’t dilute the flavors.
Is Moscato the only wine that works?
Moscato is ideal for its sweetness and fruity notes, but you can experiment with other sweeter white wines like Riesling or even a light sparkling wine. Avoid dry wines as they might clash with the tea’s sweetness.
Can I make this sangria vegan?
Yes, this Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe is naturally vegan since it consists of wine, tea, fruit, and liqueur, none of which require animal products. Just double-check that your wine and Triple Sec are vegan-certified if that’s a concern.
How far in advance can I prepare the sangria?
Making your sangria a few hours in advance is perfect to let the flavors meld beautifully, but try not to exceed 24 hours for the best texture and taste of the fresh fruit.
What’s the best way to chill the sangria quickly?
If you’re short on time, add more frozen fruit or ice cubes just before serving to cool it down fast without watering it down too much. You can also pre-chill all your ingredients before mixing.
Final Thoughts
Sharing this Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe feels like passing along a little piece of joy and sunshine in a glass. It’s effortlessly charming, packed with vibrant flavors, and perfect for any occasion that calls for a celebration of friendship, warmth, and great taste. I hope you whip up a batch soon and make some wonderful memories over this delightful drink!
Print
Sweet Tea Sangria Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (chilling time)
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American Southern
Description
This Sweet Tea Sangria is a refreshing and fruity cocktail perfect for summer gatherings. Combining the light sweetness of Moscato wine with classic Southern sweet tea, fresh berries, peaches, and a splash of Triple Sec, it offers a delightful balance of flavors. Served chilled over ice and garnished with fresh mint, this sangria is an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser ideal for warm days and festive occasions.
Ingredients
Liquids
- 1 bottle Moscato (750 ml)
- 7½ cups sweet tea (59 oz.)
- ¼ cup Triple Sec
Fruit & Garnish
- 2 cups sliced frozen peaches
- 1½ cups fresh raspberries
- 2 lemons (sliced)
- Fresh mint for serving
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, stir together the bottle of Moscato wine, 7½ cups of sweet tea, and ¼ cup of Triple Sec until well mixed. Then, add the sliced frozen peaches, fresh raspberries, and lemon slices, gently folding the fruit into the liquid to distribute evenly.
- Chill Sangria: Cover the pitcher and place it in the refrigerator. Let the sangria chill and allow the flavors to meld for a minimum of 2 hours, but ideally even longer for enhanced flavor infusion.
- Serve: When ready to serve, give the sangria a good stir to mix any settled fruit and flavors. Pour the sangria over ice-filled glasses and garnish each with fresh mint leaves for a refreshing finish.
Notes
- Use good quality Moscato for a sweeter and more aromatic sangria.
- Frozen peaches can be substituted with fresh peaches if in season.
- Adjust the sweetness by using more or less sweet tea or Triple Sec according to taste.
- Allowing the sangria to chill longer enhances the infusion of flavors.
- This recipe serves 8 and is perfect for large gatherings or parties.
