Peach Punch
This sunny peach punch is sweet, tart, and lightly fizzy, with black tea to keep it from tasting flat. Mix the base ahead, then add sparkling water just before serving.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 12 servings (about 1 cup each)
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 15mCook 5mAmericanDrinks
Peach punch is the kind of pitcher drink that works for cookouts, baby showers, family dinners, or any afternoon when you want something more special than soda. It is fruity and bright, but not heavy.
This version uses peach nectar for strong peach flavor, orange and lemon juices for balance, and chilled black tea for a gentle tannic note. Tannic just means it has a slight dry taste, like brewed tea, which helps balance the sweetness.
Stir the base together early if you like. When guests arrive, add sparkling water and ice so the punch stays bubbly and fresh.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
10 items · 12 servings (about 1 cup each)
- 3 cups water
- 3 black tea bags
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups chilled peach nectar
- 2 cups chilled 100% orange juice
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups sliced fresh peaches, plus more for serving if desired
- 2 cups chilled plain sparkling water
- Ice, for serving
- Fresh mint sprigs, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Brew the tea
Bring 3 cups water to a simmer. Pour it over the tea bags in a heatproof bowl or measuring cup. Steep for 5 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags. Steep means to let the tea sit in hot water so the flavor comes out.
2. Sweeten while warm
Stir the sugar into the warm tea until it dissolves. This is easier than trying to dissolve sugar in cold punch later.
3. Chill the tea
Let the sweetened tea cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate it until cold. If you are in a hurry, set the container in a bowl of ice water and stir often.
4. Mix the punch base
In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the chilled peach nectar, orange juice, lemon juice, and chilled sweet tea. Stir well.
5. Add the peaches
Stir in the sliced peaches. Let them sit in the punch for at least 10 minutes if you have time, so they can flavor the drink and soak up some juice.
6. Finish with bubbles
Just before serving, pour in the chilled sparkling water. Stir gently so you do not knock out too much fizz.
7. Serve cold
Fill glasses with ice and ladle or pour in the punch. Add extra peach slices and mint if you like.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Mix the tea, peach nectar, orange juice, lemon juice, sugar, and sliced peaches up to 24 hours ahead. Keep covered in the refrigerator. Add sparkling water and ice right before serving.
- Storage: Leftover punch can be refrigerated for up to 2 days, but it will lose its fizz after the first day. Store it without ice so it does not become watery.
- Sweetness swap: For a less sweet punch, start with 2 tablespoons sugar, taste the chilled base, and add more only if needed. Peach nectar varies by brand.
- No black tea? Use green tea for a lighter taste, white tea for a delicate version, or skip the tea and use cold water. The punch will taste sweeter without tea.
- Fresh peach note: Ripe peaches give the best aroma. If peaches are out of season, use thawed frozen peach slices. Canned peaches work too, but choose fruit packed in juice rather than heavy syrup.
- For a party bowl: Make sure the sparkling water is very cold before adding it. A large block of ice melts more slowly than small cubes.
Cook's note
Nutrition is calculated with the full 1/3 cup sugar and assumes the sliced peaches are served with the punch. Ice, mint, and extra garnish are not included.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make peach punch without sparkling water?
Yes. Replace the sparkling water with cold still water, more chilled tea, or a lemon-lime seltzer if you want flavor without strong sweetness. The drink will be flatter but still refreshing.
Can I use fresh peach puree instead of peach nectar?
Yes, but strain it if you want a smoother punch. Blend about 4 cups sliced ripe peaches with 1 to 1 1/2 cups water, then taste. Fresh puree is usually less sweet than bottled nectar, so you may need a little extra sugar.
How do I keep punch from getting watered down?
Chill every ingredient before mixing, add ice to the glasses instead of the pitcher, or freeze some peach nectar in an ice cube tray and use those cubes in the punch bowl.
Can I make this punch caffeine-free?
Yes. Use decaf black tea, caffeine-free herbal peach tea, or plain cold water in place of the brewed tea.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Double all ingredients and use a large punch bowl or drink dispenser. Add the sparkling water in batches if the punch will sit out for a while, so each round stays fizzy.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
12 servings (about 1 cup each)
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium6 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate25 g
- 9%
- Dietary Fiber1 g
- 4%
- Total Sugars22 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium8 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.3 mg
- 2%
- Potassium182 mg
- 4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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