Fresh Peach Lemonade

This tangy peach lemonade blends the zesty kick of traditional lemonade with the juicy sweetness of fresh summer peaches. It's just right for outdoor parties or as a cool drink on steamy days - this bright beverage takes regular lemonade up several notches.

I came up with this drink during an incredibly hot summer when we needed something more fun than water but still super refreshing. Everyone loved it right away, and now we can't have a summer cookout 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 give a little when you press them gently for the best taste and ripeness
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint: with extra for garnishing adds a wonderful aroma that makes the whole drink taste better
• Ice cubes: try to use filtered water so they don't water down your drink too fast
• Additional lemon slices: for garnishing makes everything look prettier and adds more lemony scent

Step-by-Step Instructions

Get Your Lemonade Ready:

Begin with your lemonade, whether it's from the store or homemade. If you're making it yourself, let it cool all the way before moving on. Your lemonade should have the right mix of sweet and tart to go well with the peaches.

Fix Up the Peaches:

Clean peaches carefully with 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 it look nice and gives you some fruity bites as you drink.

Mix It All Up:

Put most of your peach chunks in a blender with one cup of your lemonade and all the mint. Blend until it's smooth, about 30-45 seconds. The mint will spread its flavor through the mix, giving a light fresh taste that works well with both peaches and lemonade.

Put It All Together:

Pour your blended peach mix into a big pitcher. If you want it smoother, run it through a strainer and push down with a spoon to get all the juice out. Add the rest of your lemonade to the pitcher and stir it all together. Drop in your saved peach slices and some lemon slices to make it look pretty and add more flavor.

Make It Look Good:

Pour your peach lemonade into glasses filled with ice. Top each glass with a peach slice and some mint. You'll smell the mint as you drink, which makes the whole experience of this summer drink even better.

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You Must Know

The key to making this drink amazing is using peaches at just the right ripeness. I made it once with peaches that weren't quite ripe and was let down by how bland it tasted. Now I always let my peaches sit out until they smell sweet and give slightly when I press them before I use them in this drink.

Make It Boozy

This drink turns into a great adult beverage with just a few tweaks. For single glasses, pour in 1.5 ounces of vodka or white rum. If you're making a pitcher for 8 people, mix in 1 cup of liquor. Bourbon goes really well with the peach flavor too, adding some caramel notes that work with the fruit's sweetness. When serving it as a cocktail, try putting sugar mixed with finely chopped mint around the rim of the glass for a fancy touch.

Variations to Try

Try mixing up different fruits to create your own special lemonade. Switch half the peaches with strawberries for a pretty pink drink that tastes more complex. You can also use raspberries or blackberries, but you'll want to strain out the seeds. For something more tropical, swap one peach for a cup of diced pineapple or mango. Each different version stays 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 or container 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. If you want to keep it longer, freeze the blended peach mix in ice cube trays, then thaw and add to fresh lemonade whenever you want that peachy taste. Don't freeze the whole finished drink though, as it can get watery when it thaws.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Could I use frozen peaches instead?

Definitely! Frozen peaches are fine to use. Let them thaw a little before blending so the texture feels right. Sweetness might need a tweak since frozen fruit isn’t always super sweet.

→ How long will this stay fresh in the fridge?

If you keep it in a sealed container, it’ll be fresh for 2 to 3 days in the fridge. For the absolute best taste, enjoy it the same day you make it, since the peachy flavor can fade over time.

→ Can I prepare this in advance for an event?

Sure thing! You can make it up to a day ahead. Leave out the mint and peach garnish until serving time, and give it a good stir before pouring since ingredients might separate a bit.

→ Which lemonade works best for this?

Home-squeezed lemonade gives the freshest flavor since you can adjust how sweet or tart it is to match the peaches. Store-bought also works, but pick a quality brand with no artificial stuff for better results.

→ How do I turn this into a boozy option?

This drink works great with alcohol! Try vodka, prosecco, or even white rum. Use about 1.5 oz of alcohol per glass for a balanced taste, and feel free to experiment.

→ How can I make it less sugary?

Cutting down the sweetness is easy. Use peaches that aren’t overly soft or ripe, add some lemon juice for extra tang, or just make a less sweet batch of lemonade to balance things out.