This summer tequila fruit punch is perfect for a BBQ or pool party. Bright cherry, juicy pineapple and a hint of orange combine with tequila, sparkling bubbles and frozen peaches to keep everything chilled. So fun and effortless.
Grown-up fruit punch is exactly what your holiday weekend needs. It’s refreshing, crowd-pleasing and incredibly easy to assemble in a large pitcher.
This spiked fruit punch leans into pineapple and cherry flavors, plus a touch of orange liqueur and bubbles for lift. Frozen peaches act as ice, cooling the drink without diluting it while adding subtle peach flavor as they thaw. It’s an ideal pitcher cocktail for a hot day—serve over ice and garnish with fruit for a festive touch.
Full disclosure: overly sugary, store-bought fruit punch isn’t usually my thing. But when a boozy version is on the menu, I’m instantly curious. After sampling a similar drink during a recent staycation, I set out to recreate it at home for easy poolside entertaining. The goal was simple: capture the bright fruit flavors and effervescent finish while keeping the prep quick.
I matched the original nearly exactly without making things complicated. Instead of purees and fancy prep, this recipe relies on pantry-friendly juices and a jar of cherries for both flavor and color. The frozen peaches do the heavy lifting—act as ice, add peach notes and make each glass feel like a treat.
The finished punch is sweet and nostalgic, but balanced by tequila and a dry sparkling wine. If you dislike sweet cocktails, you may want to lighten the pineapple or add extra club soda. For everyone else, this is summer in a pitcher—bright, bubbly and dangerously easy to sip.
What goes into this tequila fruit punch
- Tequila — a blanco or silver tequila works well
- Maraschino cherries — including the jarred juice for sweetness and color
- Pineapple juice — provides bright tropical flavor
- Orange liqueur — Grand Marnier, triple sec or a similar orange-forward liqueur
- Club soda — adds lift and lets you adjust sweetness
- Dry sparkling rosé or Prosecco — for extra bubbles and a dry finish
- Frozen peaches — used as ice so the punch stays chilled without watering down
The balance of ingredients creates a drink that’s fruity and fizzy with a pronounced cherry-pineapple backbone. The orange liqueur adds a subtle citrus depth, while the sparkling wine keeps things crisp. Frozen peaches are my favorite summer hack: use a full bag in the pitcher so each serving is chilled and infused with peach as the fruit thaws. Once your glass is empty, the softened peaches are a delicious bonus.
Tequila Fruit Punch
Tequila Fruit Punch
4 to 6 people
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen peaches
- 12 ounces maraschino cherries (including the jarred juice)
- 8 ounces tequila (blanco/silver)
- 8 ounces club soda
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 4 ounces Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
- 12 ounces dry sparkling rosé or Prosecco
Instructions
- Place the frozen peaches in a large pitcher.
- Add the entire jar of maraschino cherries, including the juice, to the pitcher.
- Pour in the tequila, club soda, pineapple juice and Grand Marnier. Stir gently to combine.
- Top the pitcher with the dry sparkling rosé or Prosecco. Taste and add more club soda if the punch is too sweet for your preference.
- Serve over ice if desired, spooning peaches and cherries into each glass as garnish.
Notes and tips: use a dry sparkling wine so the punch doesn’t become overly sweet. If you prefer a less boozy pitcher, reduce the tequila slightly and increase club soda or sparkling wine. Frozen stone fruit works well in place of peaches if needed. For a nonalcoholic version, omit the tequila and orange liqueur, replace sparkling rosé with extra club soda and use a splash of lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Summer in a cup—easy to scale, citrusy, fruity and fizzy. Make a pitcher, bring it poolside, and enjoy.