Refreshing Peach Lemonade
A deliciously sweet and tangy drink made with fresh peaches and zesty lemon juice, perfect for warm summer days.
Ingredients
For the Peach Puree
- 6-8 large peaches 6-8 ripe large peaches (about 3 pounds) Use fresh peaches for the best flavor.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for peach puree)
- 1/2 cup water (for peach puree)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for peach puree)
For the Lemonade Base
- 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 8-10 medium lemons) Strain to remove seeds or pulp.
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for simple syrup)
- 1 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 4-6 cups cold water (for dilution) Add according to taste.
For Serving
- Fresh peach slices For garnish.
- Lemon wheels or wedges For garnish.
- Fresh mint sprigs For garnish.
- Ice cubes For serving.
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by washing, pitting, and dicing your peaches.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the diced peaches, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes until the peaches are very soft.
Make Peach Puree
- Once the peaches are softened, remove them from heat. Mash them thoroughly and strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain smooth peach puree. Discard the solids and let the puree cool to room temperature.
Prepare Simple Syrup
- In another small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Prepare Lemonade Base
- Juice your 8-10 lemons to yield approximately 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice, straining to remove seeds or pulp. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup with the strained lemon juice. Mix well.
Assemble Lemonade
- Incorporate the cooled peach puree into the lemonade base. Stir vigorously to mix everything up.
- Begin by adding 4 cups of cold water, then taste. Gradually add more cold water (up to 6 cups total) until you reach your preferred strength and sweetness.
Chill & Serve
- Refrigerate the peach lemonade for at least 30 minutes to chill. When ready to serve, pour it over plenty of ice and garnish with fresh peach slices, lemon wheels, and sprigs of mint.
Notes
For a fun twist, you can make it sparkling by replacing some or all of the dilution water with club soda. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, or freeze portions in ice cube trays for longer storage.