Olive Garden Green Apple Sangria
The first time I tried Olive Garden’s Green Apple Moscato Sangria, it was on a sweltering summer evening after a long day at work. One sip of this refreshing blend transported me straight to a breezy Italian vineyard. The perfect balance of sweet Moscato wine and tart green apple created such a unique twist on traditional sangria that I knew I had to recreate it at home. After much experimentation, I’m excited to share this spot-on copycat recipe that captures the original’s magic.
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What makes Green Apple Moscato Sangria so good?
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of fruity flavor, mild booziness, and simplicity, this recipe is hard to beat. While there are only a few ingredients, they play off one another perfectly, enhancing the natural sweetness and fruit flavors of the Moscato wine without overpowering them.
Plus, it can provide a refreshing contrast to other sangrias, which can be overly sweet, thanks to the tart pucker of green apple flavor.
It’s one of the most delicious cocktails for summer parties – bright, refreshing, and cold.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t your typical red wine sangria. The combination of crisp Moscato wine, tropical pineapple juice, and tart green apple creates a light, refreshing cocktail that’s:
- Ideal for both intimate dinners and large gatherings
- Perfect for summer entertaining
- Easy to make with just 3 main ingredients
- Customizable to your taste preferences
- Great for making it ahead
Ingredients
Super easy to make, you’ll need just three essential ingredients for this recipe:
- Moscato wine – provides the wine base and natural sweetness while adding floral and fruit notes
- Pineapple juice – adds tropical sweetness and helps balance the tartness of the apple
- Monin Green Granny Apple Smith Puree or Sour Apple Pucker Liqueur (delivers the signature tart apple flavor and beautiful green color
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh orange slices – adds citrus notes and visual appeal
- Strawberries – provides a sweet contrast and pop of color
- Green Apple slices – provides the right thematic touch, and adds a pop of color
Ingredient Notes
When it comes to selecting a Moscato, don’t break the bank. Since you’ll be mixing it, you can safely opt for an inexpensive, medium-quality bottle.
Meanwhile, if you can’t find the apple puree (with the best brand sold under Monin Green Granny Apple Smith Puree), you may be lucky enough to find a nice bartender at Olive Garden who’ll sell it to you. You can also order it on Amazon or use Sour Apple Pucker Liquor. Keep in mind this last option contains alcohol, usually 30-proof (15% ABV), which will add an extra kick to your beverages that regular apple puree won’t.
You can substitute the Moscato with a dry white wine for a less sweet sangria. Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or another crisp white wine are all great choices for a crisp white wine.
How to Make Green Apple Moscato Sangria
There are no fancy bartender techniques required to whip up this distinctive and delicious adult beverage:
- Pour chilled Moscato, pineapple juice, apple puree, or liqueur into a large pitcher.
- Stir to combine.
- Serve over ice.
In just seconds, you’ve got a batch ready for parties, cookouts, or a relaxing night binge-watching your favorite show.
Best Fruit to Add to Sangria
One of the best ways to enhance any sangria is by adding fruit. At Olive Garden, this Green Apple Moscato Sangria is usually served with pieces of orange, strawberries, and blueberries for a fresh, sweet contrast to the tart drink.
You can follow their lead or double down on the green apple flavor with sliced or diced Granny Smith apples.
Other great choices are raspberries, peaches, lemons, kiwis, mangoes, and other juicy tropical fruits.
Nearly any kind of fruit you can imagine will work. You can also use frozen fruit in addition to fresh, which can pull double duty as a flavorful way to keep your drink cold.
Substitutions and Modifications
Wine Options
- Pinot Grigio: Creates a drier version
- Sauvignon Blanc: Adds crisp, citrusy notes
- Chardonnay: Provides a fuller-bodied alternative
- Non-alcoholic sparkling white grape juice: Makes a family-friendly version
Apple Puree Alternatives
- Homemade green apple puree (blend fresh Granny Smith apples with a touch of lemon juice)
- Sour Apple Pucker Liqueur (note: adds additional alcohol content)
- Green apple syrup + apple juice
What Goes Well With Olive Garden Green Apple Moscato Sangria
This tart, fruity beverage is surprisingly versatile, working well with various Olive Garden-inspired dishes and other yummy food. Cheese plates or antipasto platters are an excellent choice, with the salty meats and cheeses contrasting with the drink’s sweetness.
The same applies to decadent Italian appetizers like bruschetta or Caprese salad and a diverse selection of main courses like chicken, seafood, or pasta.
Meanwhile, it’s equally at home being sipped with casual snacks like popcorn, chips, pretzels, or dessert dishes that pair perfectly with the green apple flavor.
How to Store our Green Apple Moscato Sangria Recipe
Another significant benefit of this tasty cocktail is that it can be prepared and stored beforehand. Mix the wine, juice, and apple puree/liqueur and stir. Don’t add ice or fresh fruit.
If the mixture is kept in an airtight container in the fridge, it can last five to seven days. This also makes it easy to store any leftover sangria, as long as you haven’t iced it.
Love Olive Garden Sangria? Try these copycat Olive Garden Sangria Recipes at Home
More Drink Recipes to Try
Be sure to check out more of the best drink recipes and copycat restaurant recipes.
Olive Garden Green Apple Moscato Sangria
Make the Olive Garden Green Apple Moscato Sangria at home.
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Servings: 6
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
- 750 mls Moscato
- 6 ounces pineapple juice
- 6 ounces Granny Smith Apple Puree or Apple Pucker
- 8 cups ice
- 1/2 cup strawberries
- 1/2 cup orange slices
- 1/2 cup green apple slices
Instructions
In a large pitcher combine chilled Moscato, pineapple juice, and granny smith apple puree. Stir until well combined
Serve by placing several ice cubes in a glass, pour beverage over ice.
Notes
Pro Recipe Tips
- Temperature is Key: Chill ALL ingredients thoroughly before mixing – even the pineapple juice and apple puree. Room temperature ingredients will dilute faster with ice and can make your sangria taste watered down. For best results, chill the mixed sangria for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- The Moscato Matters: While you don’t need an expensive bottle, avoid the cheapest options. Look for a Moscato that’s not overly sweet – you want one with notes of peach and citrus rather than pure sugar. The wine forms the base of your sangria, so choosing one with good flavor will elevate the entire drink.
- Fruit Preparation Technique: If adding fresh fruit, cut pieces into small, bite-sized portions (about 1-inch cubes) so they’re easy to eat and release their flavors better. For apples specifically, toss them in a little lemon juice after cutting to prevent browning and add an extra layer of brightness to the drink.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 18.3mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1.2mg
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Q: Why is my sangria too sweet? A: Try using a drier white wine instead of Moscato or reduce the pineapple juice amount.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time? A: Yes! Mix the liquid ingredients up to 5-7 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Add fresh fruit just before serving.
Q: How can I make this for a large party? A: The recipe scales easily – simply maintain the same ratios. For a party of 20, triple all ingredients.