Refreshing Peach Lemonade Drink (Printable Version)
A vibrant blend of sweet peaches and zesty lemonade, perfect for hot summer days and outdoor gatherings.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fruit Base
01 - 3 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
02 - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3 to 4 lemons)
03 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Sweetener
04 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar (use agave syrup for vegan)
05 - 1/2 cup water
→ To Serve
06 - 3 cups cold water
07 - Ice cubes, as needed
08 - Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
09 - Peach slices and lemon wheels, for garnish (optional)
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Combine sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
02 - Add the sliced peaches, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest to a blender. Purée on high until completely smooth.
03 - Pour the peach purée through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, pressing with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
04 - Add the cooled simple syrup and 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
05 - Taste the lemonade and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as needed.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, or serve immediately over ice. Garnish each glass with fresh mint, peach slices, and lemon wheels.
# Tips from hearthlykitchen:
01 -
- The natural sweetness of ripe peaches means you can cut way back on added sugar compared to store bought lemonade.
- It comes together in under twenty minutes with nothing more than a blender and a saucepan.
- Everyone at your summer gathering will ask what makes it taste so vibrant and you can smile and say it is just peaches and lemons.
02 -
- Adding hot syrup directly to the lemon juice will cook off the delicate floral notes and leave you with a flat tasting drink so always let it cool first.
- Straining the puree is optional but the texture difference between strained and unstrained is dramatic enough that you should decide based on your audience.
03 -
- Freeze peach slices on a parchment lined tray and use them instead of ice cubes so your drink stays cold without getting watered down.
- A tiny pinch of salt in the finished lemonade amplifies the peach flavor in a way that surprises everyone who tries it.