Delightful Peach Lemonade

On sweltering summer afternoons, nothing cools me down like this zesty peach lemonade. Juicy ripe peaches add natural sweetness that turns basic lemonade into something truly special - your friends will beg to know how you made it.

I came up with this drink during a terrible hot spell when my backyard peaches were all ripening at once. It was so cooling and tasty that we now serve it at all our summer parties, and my kids won't stop asking for it from the first warm day until fall arrives.

Ingredients

• Fresh peaches: They're what makes this drink special with their natural sweetness and beautiful color. Pick ones that smell amazing and give slightly when you press them
• Homemade lemonade: Creates the tangy foundation. Fresh-squeezed lemons really do make the flavor pop
• Fresh mint: Brings a refreshing scent that makes the whole drink better. Look for bright, unblemished leaves
• Lemons: Add a pretty touch and extra zing. Go for thin-skinned ones as they tend to be juicier
• Ice: Keeps your drink perfectly chilled without watering it down if served right

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the lemonade:

Start by making your own lemonade or grab your favorite store brand. Make it a bit more sour than normal since the peaches will sweeten things up. If you're making it yourself, let the simple syrup cool completely before mixing it with your lemon juice and water.

Prep the peaches:

Give your peaches a good rinse under cool water. Cut them along the middle, twist to pull apart, and take out the pits. Slice most of them up but save about a quarter for making your pitcher look pretty.

Blend the peach mixture:

Throw most of your peach slices into a blender with a cup of your lemonade and some fresh mint. Blend until it's totally smooth with no chunks left. The mint will spread its flavor throughout without taking over.

Strain for smoothness:

If you want a fancier texture, pour your blended peach mix through a fine strainer into your pitcher. You don't have to do this step, but it gets rid of any stringy bits and makes for a smoother drink that feels fancier.

Combine and garnish:

Add the rest of your lemonade to the peach mixture and stir gently until it's all mixed up. Float your saved peach slices and some lemon rounds in the pitcher. This makes it look more tempting and shows people what flavors they'll taste.

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The mint and peaches work together like magic in this drink. I found this combo by accident when mint was growing wild in my garden the same year my peach trees first produced lots of fruit. Something about the herby notes brings out the peaches' sweetness, creating flavors way more interesting than plain lemonade could ever have.

Making It Ahead

This peach lemonade actually tastes better when you make it early because the flavors have time to mix together properly. You can fix it up to a day before and keep it in a sealed container in your fridge. The color might get a bit darker as the peaches naturally oxidize, but it'll still taste great. For the best look, wait to add your garnish peach and lemon slices until you're ready to serve so they stay fresh-looking.

Variations To Try

This same approach works great with other stone fruits too. Try nectarines for something smoother or go with apricots for an even sweeter drink. Want an adult version? Add a splash of bourbon or vodka for a perfect summer cocktail. White peaches give you a lighter flavor and color, while yellow ones create that bright orange look with a stronger taste. I love using both yellow and white peaches together when I can get them.

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Serving Suggestions

This peach lemonade goes really well with summer grilled foods, especially things with a touch of sweetness like BBQ chicken or grilled corn. Pour it into tall glasses with plenty of ice and fresh mint sprigs to make it look fancy. For special occasions, you can freeze peach slices to use as ice cubes that won't water down your drink as they melt. Try serving in a clear pitcher to show off the gorgeous color - it always gets people talking at parties.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I use store-bought lemonade?

Sure thing, any store-bought lemonade works fine when you're busy or want something quick. Just pick one that goes well with peach flavors.

→ How can I make this drink less sweet?

To cut down on sweetness, try using lemonade without added sugar or mix in some water to thin it out a bit.

→ What type of peaches work best?

Go for soft, ripe peaches for maximum flavor. Both white and yellow varieties work great based on what you like better.

→ Can I make this drink ahead of time?

You bet, you can mix it up several hours before and keep it cold in the fridge. Just wait to add the ice and pretty garnishes until you're ready to serve.

→ Can I skip the mint?

For sure! While mint brings a cool touch, it's totally fine to leave it out or swap it for basil if you want something different.