Sweet Tea Harvest Punch

As the leaves start changing color and the weather gets cooler, I think it’s the perfect time to share one of my favorite fall drink recipes with you- a delicious harvest punch that really captures the flavors of fall.

With the perfect balance of apple cider, honey sweetened black tea, orange juice, and cinnamon, this punch screams autumn. I like to serve it at fall gatherings, football watch party, or I keep a pitcher in the refrigerator for every day drinking. Best part, it tastes great hot and cold!

Have leftover apple cider and orange juice? Here are a few non alcoholic drinks to use them up: Apple Cider Slushies, Mimosa Mocktails, Apple Cider Mule Mocktail, and this Apple Bee’s Knees Mocktail.

Why This Harvest Punch Recipe Works for Entertaining:

• It is non alcoholic which means everyone can enjoy drinking it.
• It takes minutes to stir together but you can make it up to two days in advance (without adding the fresh fruit and cinnamon sticks). There is minimal prep time too!
• Can be made and served hot, or cold.
• An easy recipe to double or triple, depending on how many people you are serving.

Sweet Tea Harvest Punch Ingredients

This easy, non alcoholic harvest punch is 5 ingredients. Keep reading for a few notes and potential substitutions.

• Unsweetened Black Tea: I chose the pre-prepared tea in a gallon jug, it’s easy. But you can also prepare your own with tea bags.
• Orange Juice: Make sure it is pulp free or your punch will have an unpleasant texture.
• Apple Cider: Local from the cider mill is the way to go but you can also buy a jug from your local grocery store. If apple cider is not available, apple juice will work as well.
• Raw Honey: Again, local honey is the best for added health benefits and supporting local farmers. Other store-bought honeys will work too.
• Cinnamon Sticks: Always use food grade varieties, they are typically found in the baking or spice aisle at your grocery store.
• OPTIONAL Orange and Apple Slices: Make sure you wash them thoroughly, you don’t want any pesticides and wax in your punch. They should also be sliced as thin as possible.

Equipment Needed:

• Large Pitcher or Drink Container with a long handled spoon for serving (if serving cold).
• Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven with a ladle (if serving hot).
• Glassware. Depending on how you are serving the punch, you will need drinking glasses or heat safe mugs.

How to Make Sweet Tea Harvest Punch

One of the best things about this Harvest Punch is it can be served both hot and cold! This makes it great for any climate in the fall season. This is a quick overview of the steps, there are more details below in the recipe card.

SERVING COLD INSTRUCTIONS:

• Add the orange slices, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks to a large pitcher or large punch bowl.
• Pour in the honey, black tea, apple cider, and orange juice. Stir very well until combined.
• Serve in glasses over ice and garnish with orange slices, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks.

SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:

• Add the black tea, apple cider, orange juice, and honey in the slow cooker on high. Once it is hot reduce the heat to keep warm setting.
• Ladle into heat-safe glasses and garnish with fresh orange, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks.

HOT ON THE STOVE INSTRUCTIONS:

• In a large pot, bring to a boil the black tea, apple cider, orange juice, and honey. Reduce the heat to low.
• Ladle into heat-safe glasses and garnish with fresh orange, apple slices, and cinnamon sticks.

Recipe Notes For the Best Harvest Punch:

Sweeten as your heart desires. This punch is moderately sweetened but feel free to add more or less honey depending on your taste preferences. You can also eliminate the honey all together for an unsweetened harvest punch.

Use good quality juices. Because this punch has minimal ingredients make sure you are choosing high-quality brands and 100% real juice. It is so important in getting a really delicious punch!

Place ice tongs with your Harvest Punch so party guests can take cinnamon sticks, apple, and orange slices. You can also serve more on the side if you do not want your guests removing them from the punch.

Make cinnamon sugar rimmed glasses. Just like salted rims on margaritas, you can dip the rim of your glass in honey and then roll it in a simple cinnamon sugar mixture for even more fall flare!

Add your favorite zero proof spirits. love this recipe with alcohol removed champagne like Fre brut, it makes this a sparkling harvest punch. I also recommend non alcoholic rum, whiskey or tequila. Add a half cup and taste test before adding more.

More Tea and Drink Recipes You Might Enjoy:

• Chocolate Milk Tea
• Strawberry Milk Tea
• Matcha Milk Tea
• Caramel Milk Tea
• Earl Grey Milk Tea
• Cherry Matcha Refresher
• Apple Bee’s Knees Mocktail
• Grapefruit Ginger Beer Mocktail
• State Fair Lemonade
• Espresso Martini Mocktail