There's something magical about sipping a chilled glass of Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea on a sun-drenched afternoon. The gentle fizz, sweet ripe peaches, tart raspberries, and fragrant tea come together in one elegant, thirst-quenching sip.
This recipe came to life during one of those spontaneous summer brunches when mimosas felt too heavy and plain iced tea felt too dull. It’s now a staple at all our gatherings—refreshing, lightly fruity, and just fancy enough to impress without any fuss.
Let’s dive into why you’ll want to keep this pitcher-ready favorite in your summer rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea
Get ready to meet your new go-to summer sipper. This Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea combines the best parts of a sparkling cocktail and a fruit-infused iced tea.
First and foremost, it’s incredibly refreshing and light. The peach nectar brings gentle sweetness, while the raspberries add a subtle tart note. Paired with cold-brewed black tea and a touch of fizz from sparkling water or Prosecco, it’s the ultimate beverage for hot days.
You’ll love how easy it is to make ahead. Brew the tea, stir in the fruit and chill—it tastes even better the next day once the flavors have mingled. That means less last-minute prep when guests arrive.
This tea is also crowd-pleasing and non-alcoholic by default, but easily dressed up with a splash of sparkling wine for an adult version. It’s perfect for baby showers, brunches, or casual patio hangouts.
And let’s not forget how gorgeous it looks. The amber of the tea, the blush of peach nectar, and the ruby pop of raspberries—this drink practically demands to be served in a glass pitcher.
Now that you're tempted, let’s talk ingredients.
Ingredients Notes
What makes this Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea so special is the balance between bold tea, bright fruit, and refreshing fizz. Each ingredient has a purpose, and a few simple swaps can personalize the drink to your taste.
Black tea is the base of this drink. I prefer using strong, high-quality loose-leaf or tea bags like English Breakfast or Darjeeling. They hold up well against the sweetness of the fruit and the effervescence of the sparkling element. Cold brewing ensures a smoother flavor with less bitterness.
Peach nectar adds that signature Bellini flavor. It’s thicker and more concentrated than juice, lending sweetness and body. Look for it in the international aisle or near other fruit juices. If you can’t find nectar, puree canned peaches with a splash of water for a quick substitute.
Fresh raspberries offer a tart contrast to the peaches and create a beautiful visual effect in the glass. They can also be muddled slightly for a more intense raspberry flavor. Frozen raspberries work in a pinch and help chill the drink at the same time.
Sparkling water or Prosecco brings the Bellini twist. If you’re serving this for a crowd that includes kids or non-drinkers, go with plain or flavored sparkling water. If you're feeling festive, dry Prosecco or champagne gives it that celebratory edge.
You’ll also need a large pitcher, a fine mesh strainer (if cold brewing loose tea), and a muddler or wooden spoon if you want to intensify the raspberry flavor.
How To Make This Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea
Crafting this vibrant tea is easier than it looks, and the results are absolutely worth it. Here's how to do it step-by-step.
Start by cold-brewing your black tea. Add your tea bags or loose-leaf tea to a large pitcher with cold water and let it steep in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hours. This yields a smooth, rich tea without any bitterness. If you're short on time, a strong hot brew followed by a quick chill in the fridge also works.
Once your tea is ready, stir in the peach nectar. The nectar should blend seamlessly, adding both sweetness and viscosity to the tea. Taste and adjust—add more nectar if you prefer a sweeter drink, or balance it with a squeeze of lemon if it's too sweet.
Now for the raspberries. Toss in a handful of fresh or frozen berries. For a subtle infusion, leave them whole. For more flavor, muddle them gently at the bottom of the pitcher before adding the tea and nectar. The juice will blend with the tea, and you’ll get flecks of raspberry in every sip.
Just before serving, top off the pitcher with sparkling water or Prosecco. This step gives the drink that signature Bellini sparkle. If you’re serving it over ice in individual glasses, you can also pour the fizzy element directly into each cup to maintain maximum bubbles.
Give everything a gentle stir and garnish with peach slices or mint sprigs for an extra flourish. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes of active prep.
Storage Options
This iced tea keeps beautifully, making it ideal for make-ahead entertaining or weekday sipping.
Store the base tea mixture (without the fizz) in an airtight pitcher in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen over time as the fruit infuses the tea.
If you've added fresh raspberries, consider straining them out after 24 hours to prevent over-steeping or a mushy texture.
For best results, add sparkling water or Prosecco just before serving to keep the drink fresh and bubbly. Leftover fizzed tea can be stored for a day, but expect the bubbles to go flat.
When it’s time to enjoy again, give the tea a good stir and serve over fresh ice with new garnishes if desired.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can switch things up depending on what you have on hand or who you're serving.
For a low-sugar version, swap the peach nectar for unsweetened peach juice and sweeten to taste with stevia or honey. You’ll get the same juicy flavor with less sweetness.
Try using green tea instead of black for a lighter, more delicate version of this iced tea. It pairs wonderfully with the peaches and gives the drink a slightly grassy note.
If you’re out of raspberries, strawberries or blackberries make great substitutes. Thinly sliced strawberries can even be steeped in the tea overnight for a naturally sweet infusion.
Want a cocktail version? Use half sparkling wine and half sparkling water, or go full-on Prosecco for a more traditional Bellini approach. You could even add a splash of peach schnapps for a bolder kick.
And don’t forget about garnishes! Mint, basil, citrus wheels, or even edible flowers add a lovely visual touch and aromatic flair to the drink.
So go ahead and make this Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea your own. Whether you keep it classic or put your own twist on it, you’re in for a glass of something truly special.
PrintBellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea Recipe
Cool down with this sparkling Bellini Peach Raspberry Iced Tea – a refreshing blend of peach nectar, raspberries, and iced tea, perfect for summer gatherings. This fruit-infused drink is non-alcoholic, vibrant, and bursting with sweet flavor. Ideal for brunch, barbecues, or lounging by the pool.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
-
2 cups fresh raspberries
-
2 cups peach nectar or purée
-
4 cups brewed black tea, chilled
-
2 cups sparkling water or club soda
-
1–2 tablespoon honey or agave (optional, to taste)
-
Ice cubes
-
Fresh peach slices and raspberries for garnish
-
Mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
-
Brew your favorite black tea and chill it completely.
-
In a large pitcher, combine peach nectar, chilled tea, and raspberries.
-
Lightly mash raspberries to release flavor (optional).
-
Stir in honey or agave if additional sweetness is desired.
-
Add sparkling water just before serving to retain fizz.
-
Serve over ice in glasses and garnish with peach slices, raspberries, and mint.
Notes
-
Use white tea or green tea for a milder flavor.
-
To make it boozy, add a splash of Prosecco or peach schnapps.
-
Fresh or frozen raspberries both work great.
-
Make ahead and store in the fridge (without soda) for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
Leave a Reply