Stone fruit is at its peak during the last few weeks of summer and the first couple weeks of fall in Michigan. There’s nothing better than a juicy peach on a hot, late summer day or early fall afternoon. During these precious few weeks, I try to eat as much stone fruit as I can and use it in fun, creative ways that highlight the season. This fruity and refreshing Stone Fruit Sangria is a perfect example of that and a drink that will still feel a bit like summer in the early fall.
What is a stone fruit?
Stone fruits are fruit that have a thin skin and a ‘stone” seed at the center. They are part of a classification of fruits also known as drupes. Technically they start producing in late spring and continue through the first few weeks of fall. Here in Michigan though, cherry season doesn’t really start until late June. As the season wears on, common stone fruits like peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots all come into season.
Other examples of stone fruits include mangoes, dates, lychees, coconuts (This one is a bit odd to me.) and even olives! And guess what? Raspberries, blackberries and mulberries are also considered stone fruits too.
What’s in the Stone Fruit Sangria?
For the Stone Fruit Sangria, I include peaches, plums, nectarines and cherries in the drink itself. However, the flavor of the Stone Fruit Sangria will be very peachy. There are two reasons for this.
- I use Peach nectar in the mix.
- I use Peach Brand in the mix
Sangria nowadays typically has some added ingredients. It’s not always just wine and fruit. Brandy is a common ingredient in sangria and other common ingredients include juices like orange juice or flavored simple syrups too.
What kind of wine should I use in Stone Fruit Sangria?
Your favorite wine! I used a white wine for my Stone Fruit Sangria recipe, but that was mainly because I thought it would photograph better. 🙂 In making this year after year, there’s a good chance I will probably use red wine. If faced with the choice of red wine versus white wine, I will almost always pick red – even when eating fish.
That said, this summer I have appreciated a nice, cool glass of white wine from time to time. It was sweltering here all summer with high humidity and white felt very refreshing at times.
The only rule I think you should follow when picking wine for Stone Fruit Sangria – or any Sangria, really – is this: Don’t go cheap.
I think when people know they’re making sangria they tend to go a little cheaper on the wine. They believe the added ingredients will make up for it somehow. That’s just not true. If you wouldn’t enjoy drinking a glass of that wine plain, put the bottle back. Go with favorites that you know and love instead of going cheap.
For white wines, I recommend a Chardonnay, Pino Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or a Riesling. For red sangria Merlot, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel works well.
How should I serve Stone Fruit Sangria?
Unlike some of my other drinks that I recommend you make by the glass, Stone Fruit Sangria is the perfect pitcher drink! If you need a beautiful pitcher, this is the one I’m using {HERE}. Or you could also serve it in a punch bowl too. As far as individual glasses, I like stemmed wine glasses that are generally made for red wine. Mine in the photograph are actually from when we got married, but this set {HERE} is really nice too.
The only thing I recommend when it comes to serving is to make this a few hours in advance, so you have time to chill it and the flavors have a chance to mingle. It’s much nicer once everything is well blended and has had a little time to sit. Not only that but if you like to eat the fruit out of sangria like I do, it’s so much better when it has had a chance to soak!
Thank you so much for joining me today, friends! The full, printable recipe for my Stone Fruit Sangria is below. If you make it, please let me know how you like it in the comments. Also, please drink responsibly. Oh and if you’re looking for more Stone Fruit recipes, you can find some of my favorite ones {HERE}. Also, the table in the above photo with me is a DIY! Find all the instructions for that {HERE}.
Stone Fruit Sangria
Equipment
- Pitcher
- Wine glasses
Ingredients
- 1 - 1 1/2 bottles white wine You can also use a sweet red.
- 2 cups peach nectar
- 1/2 cup peach brandy
- 3 peaches, sliced
- 2 plums, sliced
- 2 nectarines, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherries, halved
- Ice for serving by the glass
Instructions
- Slice and add all the fruit to a large pitcher or punch bowl.
- Mix the wine, brand and peach nectar together in the pitcher or bowl.
- Chill for at least two hours.
- Serve in individual glasses with ice.
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