Description
Sweet Tea Harvest Punch is a refreshing and versatile beverage perfect for any season, combining the warm flavors of apple, orange, and cinnamon with the robust taste of black tea. It can be served cold over ice for a refreshing treat or hot as a cozy, comforting drink during chilly days. This punch offers sweet and spiced notes with natural sweetness from honey and a fruity twist from apple cider and orange juice.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits & Flavorings
- 1 orange – thinly sliced
- 1 apple – thinly sliced
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks – food grade
Liquids
- 2 cups unsweetened black tea
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup apple cider
Sweetener
- ¼ cup honey – or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit and spices. Thinly slice one orange and one apple, and have 3-4 food grade cinnamon sticks ready. These will add fresh citrus and warming spice flavors to your punch.
- Combine ingredients for cold serving. In a pitcher or large punch bowl, add the orange slices, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks. Pour in the honey, unsweetened black tea, orange juice, and apple cider. Stir very well until the honey is fully dissolved and all ingredients are combined.
- Serve cold over ice. Pour the punch into glasses filled with ice cubes for a refreshing and chilled harvest drink. Garnish with extra fruit slices or cinnamon sticks if desired.
- Prepare hot punch using slow cooker. For a warm version, place the black tea, apple cider, orange juice, and honey into a slow cooker set on high. Once the mixture is hot, reduce the heat to the warm setting to keep it cozy without boiling.
- Prepare hot punch on stovetop. Alternatively, combine the black tea, apple cider, orange juice, and honey in a large pot. Bring it to a boil and then reduce heat to low to let it simmer gently.
- Serve hot with garnish. Ladle the hot punch into heat-safe glasses and garnish with fresh orange slices, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks to enhance aroma and presentation.
Notes
- Store leftover punch in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving again to redistribute flavors.
- For a festive twist, add a half cup of non-alcoholic spirits such as alcohol-removed Fre brut (sparkling champagne), non-alcoholic rum, whiskey, or tequila. Add gradually and taste test before adding more.
- Honey sweetness can be adjusted depending on your preference. You may substitute maple syrup or agave if preferred.
- Use organic or pesticide-free fruits when possible for safer consumption of the peels and slices.
- This punch can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings or parties.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
