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This cool peach lemonade blends the zesty tang of lemonade with the juicy sweetness of summer peaches. Great for backyard parties or just cooling down on hot days, this colorful drink turns regular lemonade into something extra special.
I came up with this drink during an incredibly hot summer when my family was tired of plain water but wanted something refreshing. Everyone loved it right away, and now we can't have summer cookouts without it.
Ingredients
- 8 cups prepared lemonade: grab it from the store or make your own for that perfect sweet-sour balance
- 4 to 5 fresh peaches: pick ones that feel slightly soft when you gently squeeze them for the best taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint: with extra for garnishing adds a nice aromatic touch that makes the whole drink better
- Ice cubes: try to use filtered water so they don't water down your drink too fast
- Additional lemon slices: for garnishing makes your drink look pretty and adds extra lemony smell
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Your Lemonade Ready:
- Begin with your lemonade, whether it's from the store or made at home. If you're making it yourself, let it cool all the way before moving on. Your lemonade should be both sweet and tart to go well with the peaches.
- Get Your Peaches Ready:
- Clean your peaches well under cold water. Cut them in half, take out the pits, and chop into chunks. Save about a quarter of your peach slices to put in the pitcher and glasses later. This makes your drink look nice and gives you fruity bits to enjoy.
- Mix Everything Up:
- Put most of your peach chunks in a blender with a cup of your lemonade and all the mint. Blend on high until it's smooth, about 30-45 seconds. The mint will spread its flavor through the mix, adding a subtle freshness that works well with both peaches and lemons.
- Put It All Together:
- Pour your blended peach mix into a big pitcher. If you want it smoother, you can strain it through a fine sieve, pushing down with a spoon to get all the juice. Add the rest of your lemonade to the pitcher and stir it all up well. Drop in your saved peach slices and lemon slices for looks and extra flavor.
- Serve It Nicely:
- Pour your peach lemonade into glasses filled with ice. Top each glass with a peach slice and some mint. The mint gives off a nice smell as you drink, making this summer refresher even more enjoyable.
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You Must Know
The key to making this drink amazing is using really ripe peaches. I tried it once with peaches that weren't quite ripe and was let down by how bland it tasted. These days I always let my peaches sit out until they smell sweet and give a little when I press them gently before using them.
Make It Boozy
This peach lemonade turns into a great grown-up drink with just a few tweaks. For single glasses, pour in 1.5 ounces of vodka or white rum. If you're making a whole pitcher for 8 people, add 1 cup of liquor. Bourbon tastes really good with the peach flavor too, adding sweet caramel notes that go well with the fruit. When serving it as a cocktail, try dipping the rims in a mix of sugar and finely chopped mint for a fancy touch.
Variations to Try
Play around with different fruits to create your own special lemonade. Switch half the peaches with strawberries for a pretty pink drink that tastes complex. Raspberries or blackberries work great too, but you'll want to strain out the seeds. For a taste of the tropics, swap one peach for a cup of diced pineapple or mango. Each change keeps the drink refreshing but gives you new flavors to enjoy.
Storage Tips
Your peach lemonade will stay good in the fridge for up to three days. Keep it in a covered pitcher so it doesn't pick up smells from other foods. It'll naturally separate as it sits, so give it a good stir before pouring. To keep it longer, freeze the blended peach mix in ice cube trays, then thaw and add to fresh lemonade whenever you want. Don't freeze the whole drink though, as it can get watery when it thaws.
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Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh?
Definitely, frozen peaches do the trick in this drink. Let them thaw a bit before blending for the best texture. You might need to add more sweetener since frozen peaches can be a tad less sweet than ripe fresh ones.
- → How long does peach lemonade stay fresh in the refrigerator?
Your peachy lemonade will stay good for 2-3 days in a sealed container in the fridge. It tastes best right away though, as the peach flavor starts to fade after the first day.
- → Can I make this drink ahead for a party?
For sure! You can mix it up a day ahead and keep it cold in the fridge. Just toss in the fresh garnishes right before your guests arrive. Give it a good stir first since the mixture might separate a bit.
- → What's the best lemonade to use as a base?
Nothing beats homemade lemonade where you can tweak the sweetness to match your peaches. If you're grabbing store-bought, go for something quality without fake stuff for the tastiest results.
- → Can I make this into an alcoholic beverage?
Sure thing, this peachy lemonade works great with booze added. Try some vodka, white rum, or bubbly prosecco for a grown-up twist. About 1.5 oz of liquor per glass usually hits the spot.
- → Is there a way to make this drink less sweet?
To cut the sweetness down, grab peaches that aren't super ripe or splash in some extra fresh lemon juice. You can also make your base lemonade with less sugar to get it just how you like it.