Olive Garden’s flavor-packed twist on white wine sangria blends a unique combination of sweet and tart flavors with the smooth kick of Moscato wine. Green Apple Sangria is a perfect quick-to-make choice by the glass for an intimate dinner or the batch for an exciting party.
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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, it’s hard to beat this recipe. 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 it.
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 Should Try Making This Cocktail at Home
Those who’ve tried to make drinks at home like they do at bars or restaurants can sometimes run into trouble matching the equipment, ingredients, or techniques of professional drink makers. There are no worries about that with this Green Apple Moscato Sangria recipe, crafted from easy-to-find ingredients with no special equipment and nothing needed beyond stirring.
While the batch-style recipe makes it easy to produce large quantities for big groups, home bartenders can stretch a pitcher even further by adding some seltzer or club soda. The result is a delightful spritz-style beverage with a more subtle flavor and lower alcohol content.
Ingredients
Super easy to make, you’ll need just three basic ingredients for this recipe:
- Moscato wine
- Pineapple juice
- Granny Smith apple puree (or apple pucker liqueur)
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 the name 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.
For a less sweet sangria, you can substitute the Moscato with a dry white wine. 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, and 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.
Raspberries, peaches, lemon, kiwi, mango, or other juicy tropical fruits are some other great choices.
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.
Recipe Variations
Make a bubbly sangria by topping it with a splash of Prosecco.
Give it an extra alcoholic punch with a shot of rum, white tequila, or vodka.
Make a nice presentation with a sprig of fresh mint or other garnishes.
What Goes Well With Olive Garden Green Apple Moscato Sangria
This tart, fruity beverage is surprisingly versatile, working well with a variety of 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 is true for rich Italian appetizers like bruschetta or Caprese salad, along with 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 even dessert dishes that pair perfectly with the green apple flavor.
How to Store
Another major benefit of this tasty cocktail is that it can be prepared ahead of time and stored. Simply combine 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
- Caramel Apple Martini
- Caramel Frap
- Crown Royal Apple Martini
- Chilis Classic Margarita Recipe
- DIY Orange Julius
- Homemade Mojito
- How to Make a Zombie Drink
- International House Coffee
- Oceanwater
- Mtn Dew Baja Blast Freeze
Be sure to check out more of the best drink recipes and copycat restaurant recipes.
Olive Garden Green Apple Moscato Sangria
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.
Sherri
Is this something that could be made up (without the fruit) and stored in the fridge to drink on as wanted?
Stephanie Manley
I think this would be good for a couple of days as a mix. Wine oxidizes and I think after a couple of days the flavor would go off.
Robin
I purchased the Monin Granny Smith Apple Puree online from Amazon.
Naomi Samuel
Definitely a great drink! The only thing with following the recipe was my version came out heavier on the citrus rather than the green apple taste I remember from OG. I used the Monin puree and a Carlo Rossi Moscato Sangria. But I feel like it’s too much pineapple in the mix. I ended up using a splash of sprite to sweeten it back up and give it a little fizzle. That helped but didn’t play up the green apple taste. I searched and found the OG menu description for it and it does say a splash of pineapple so I’m thinking maybe use 6 Oz puree to 3 Oz juice next time? Still not a bad drink though
Robin
Naomi…use Moscato, not Moscato Sangria. The Moscato Sangria already has fruit in it. It would not pair well with the green apple puree and the added strawberries, green apples, orange slices.
Greta Johnston
Delicious drink.
Ashley
I thought they used white grape juices instead of pineapple juice
Stephanie Manley
I am pretty sure it’s pineapple juice, you could try it that way, but I think white grape juice may be too sweet.
Pamela Douglas
Green apple sangria Best drink I’ve ever had at Olive Garden
Savannah
Green Apple Sangria is my New Drink at Olive Garden, it’s so darn good. Great Job Olive Garden on your new drink.
Charles
Can you use the “real” brand apple puree for this? The granny Smith green apple puree is not available anywhere near me and I can’t find it online.
Stephanie
I haven’t tried the “real” brand apple puree. You can buy the granny smith “puree” in larger liquor stores and online. It’s actually what they use at the OG. You can try swapping it out for something else, but I am not sure how those results will be. It will be good, but it won’t be quite the same.
Jeanie Frantz
The site Monin carries it and ships. Just recn’d 4 bottles
Tanya Cha
I use Apple Pucker or Kinky Green for a hammered mixup 😂
Johnny Long
What is the best Moscato to use for this? Sorry, I am new to the this whole wine thing. But had the Green Apple Moscato at Olive Garden, and it was delicious.
Stephanie
Any is fine, I would get something fairly inexpensive, like Gallo wines.
Lindsay
Is the green apple purée something special? Or can I just make my own purée or juice fresh green apples?
Stephanie
I think it is something unique, it’s sweet, thick, and has the flavor of jolly ranchers green apple candies.
michelle ang
Hi all. What is the breakdown on these ingredients. How much Moscato, pineapple and liqueur?
michelle ang
I am sorry, just had the ingredients pop up on the screen, I guess it was hiding on me.
Charles
I made it and it was good, but a little too on the sour side for me. Is there any way to cut down the sour taste or things to add that can do this?
Stephanie
I would make sure you are using a Moscato, and a sweet one at that. Everything else we add to this drink is sweet.
Dawn Lee
Where do you find Green Apple Puree? Thinking of making this for our wedding reception.
Stephanie
Where do you buy it in bulk? Not sure. This is available at Amazon, sometimes a bartender at the Olive Garden will sell it to you, and larger liquor stores should sell it as well.
Rachel
Check out Monin.com. I bought a bottle for like $11 and it’s called green apple purée.
thenry
The end of the recipe says to “pour over sangria”. How much sangria? What kind/brand? It’s not listed in the ingredients.
Stephanie
I misspoke. I meant to say pour the drink over the ice. The combination of everything becomes sangria. I am sorry I was unclear.
Nicole
Thank you for this recipe! It says 6 servings. How many ounces per serving?
Kristi
Is this something you can make the day before?
Stephanie
I think you could do everything but add in the fruit the day before. The fruit might not look as fresh if you do it the day before.
angelica m sifuentes
What type of Moscato would you recommend? Or a brand?
Stephanie
Brand-wise I would go with something inexpensive, like Sutter Home, any of the Gallo wines.
SammyM
I loved this when I tried it at Olive Garden. I tried it with Apple Pucker!
amanda J cox
How did it taste with the pucker
Stephanie
My problem with pucker, it makes it boozier.
DrunkoBunko
Tried this, and serving it this week at Bunco!
Stephanie
What is your favorite type of Sangria?