Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea
A gorgeous non-alcoholic spin on the classic Bellini cocktail, combining freshly brewed black tea with sweet peach nectar and a vibrant raspberry puree for a refreshing, layered summer beverage that’s both sophisticated and family-friendly.
Ingredients
- 4 black tea bags or 2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peaches plus additional slices for garnish
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries plus additional berries for garnish
- 3-4 tablespoons honey or simple syrup adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup peach nectar store-bought or homemade
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish optional
- Sparkling water for topping optional
Instructions
- Brew the tea base. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags, squeezing gently to extract flavor, and allow the tea to cool completely.
- Prepare the peach component. Add peaches to a blender with 2 tablespoons of honey or simple syrup and blend until completely smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any pulp or skin if desired.
- Make the raspberry puree. Blend the raspberries with 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup and the lemon juice until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds.
- Sweeten the tea. Once the tea has cooled, stir in the remaining honey or simple syrup to taste. Remember the fruit mixtures will add sweetness, so you may need less than you think.
- Assemble in glasses. Fill tall glasses halfway with ice cubes. Pour the tea until each glass is about half full, then add about 2 tablespoons of peach nectar to each glass.
- Create the layered effect. Carefully pour 1-2 tablespoons of the raspberry puree over the back of a spoon held above the glass so it floats on top of the tea-peach mixture. This creates the beautiful layered effect.
- Finish and garnish. Top with a splash of sparkling water if using. Garnish each glass with fresh peach slices, raspberries, and a sprig of mint if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Notes
- For a make-ahead option, prepare all components separately and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble just before serving.
- Create beautiful ice cubes by freezing small peach pieces or whole raspberries in water in an ice cube tray.
- For a stronger tea flavor, use 5 tea bags instead of 4, or steep for 7 minutes rather than 5.
- If you prefer a uniform color rather than layers, simply stir all components together before serving.
- This recipe scales beautifully for parties—simply multiply ingredients proportionally and mix in a large dispenser.