Peach Sangria Is The Summer Party Drink

We know precisely what we want when the temperature tops the gauge and the humidity is nearing 100 percent: peach sangria. This crisp, refreshing drink plays up all the flavors of summer—peaches, lemonade, and raspberries—but it also cools us down and takes the edge off the heat of the day thanks to rosé wine and vodka.

Like any good sangria, this peach sangria will need a few hours of chilling in the fridge to reach its full potential, so plan ahead if you can. Better yet, keep a pitcher made and you'll never be without its cooling, refreshing powers.

Learn how to make peach sangria, and invite some people over to your porch. This is the only thing you need to prepare. They can bring the snacks.

Ingredients for Peach Sangria

• Rosé wine: All sangrias are typically made with at least one type of wine. In this case, we like the fruity flavors of a rosé wine to elevate the rest of the ingredients. You could opt for another type—any light, fruit white would work—if you prefer.
• Vodka: Don't reach for the top-shelf vodka here. Once this sangria chills for several hours, the flavors are so deeply melded you won't know whether your vodka was expensive or as cheap as they come. If you want to add to the peach flavor, look for a peach-flavored vodka. Just omit the peach nectar if you use that.
• Peach nectar: Look for peach nectar in the fruit juice aisle at the grocery store. This drink packs a concentrated punch of peach flavor.
• Frozen lemonade concentrate: The intense lemon flavor of this concentrate will brighten the overall drink. Tip: If you thaw out an entire container of it, you can refreeze it in six-tablespoon portions so you'll always have the right amount for a new batch of sangria.
• Sugar: Helps to sweeten the overall drink.
• Ripe peaches: Can't have peach sangria without peaches.
• Raspberries: It's fine to use frozen raspberries, but fresh are nice, too. They'll get extra soft and are fun to mash into the drink.
• Club soda: A final hit of club soda adds a fizzy touch to the sangria. You could also use ginger ale or a lemon-lime soda.

How To Make Peach Sangria

Peach sangria comes together in minutes—but then you have to wait. The chilling time is essential for the best flavor, because that's when the fruit releases its juices and the drink turns into the powerful concoction you know and love.

• Step 1. Add ingredients: In a large pitcher, combine the wine, vodka, nectar, lemonade concentrate, and sugar. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Then add the peaches and raspberries.
• Step 2. Chill: Put a lid or plastic wrap over the pitcher, and let it chill in the fridge at least eight hours.
• Step 3. Add club soda: When you're ready to serve the sangria, stir in the club soda, and pour individual glasses. You can garnish with a peach slice or raspberry if you want.

Can You Make Peach Sangria Ahead of Time?

Yes, and you should. To get the best flavor, peach sangria needs to chill for at least eight hours. This gives the fruit time to soften and release the sugars and flavor. If you shortcut the chill, the sangria will still be good, but it won't have the deeply fruity, sweet notes you expect.

What's the Best Wine for Peach Sangria?

We like rosé wine for peach sangria because most rosés are sweet with wonderful fruity, floral flavors. However, you can use a light and crisp white wine if you want. (If you like a sweeter sangria, a Moscato or Riesling could be nice.)

Red wine will not be a good candidate for peach sangria. Most red wines will be too strong and dry for these fruity flavors, but a red wine sangria is also a fun porch sipper.

More Refreshing Summer Cocktails

While you've got company over, serve up these beverages:

• Watermelon Sangria
• Bushwacker
  
• Bourbon Mule
• Watermelon 75
• Cherry Limeade