Peach Lemonade: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Drink Recipe

Introduction

This Peach Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, blending sweet ripe peaches with tart lemon juice for a perfectly balanced flavor. It’s easy to make and wonderfully cooling on a hot day.

A clear mason jar glass filled with an orange-yellow peach drink with crushed ice visible in two layers, the bottom layer is a solid orange-yellow liquid, while the top is filled with crushed ice that makes the drink look cold and bubbly. Inside the drink, there are slices of peach and small green mint leaves floating. On top of the jar, a peach slice rests with fresh bright green mint leaves as garnish. The jar is placed on a wooden surface with peaches and two other similar jars blurred in the background, all set against a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 6 ripe peaches, pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 8-10 lemons)
  • Lemon slices, for garnish
  • Peach slices, for garnish
  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine the chopped peaches and 1 cup of sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir well to mix.
  2. Step 2: Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to macerate and release juices.
  3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the peaches are very soft and the syrup thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat. Strain the peach mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl, pressing on the peaches to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the pulp.
  5. Step 5: Allow the syrup to cool completely before using.
  6. Step 6: In a large pitcher, combine 6 cups of water and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well.
  7. Step 7: Pour the cooled peach syrup into the pitcher and stir to combine.
  8. Step 8: Taste the lemonade and add more sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, if desired, until you reach your preferred sweetness.
  9. Step 9: Add the remaining 2 cups of water and stir well.
  10. Step 10: Cover and refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  11. Step 11: When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes.
  12. Step 12: Pour the chilled peach lemonade into the glasses.
  13. Step 13: Garnish each glass with lemon slices, peach slices, and fresh mint sprigs if desired.
  14. Step 14: Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing taste.

Tips & Variations

  • Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Adjust the sugar amount to suit your taste or substitute with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
  • For a sparkling version, replace some or all of the water with sparkling water just before serving.
  • Add a splash of vodka or rum to make a light summer cocktail.

Storage

Store leftover peach lemonade in a covered pitcher or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. If chilled well, it’s best enjoyed cold and fresh but can be gently reheated if preferred warm.

How to Serve

A tall clear glass jar filled with a bright orange-yellow drink sits on a wooden surface. The jar is packed with crushed ice, and inside the drink, there are visible thin slices of peach and small green mint leaves. At the top of the jar, there is a fresh green mint sprig and a wedge of peach leaning against the rim. In the background, there are two more similar jars filled with the same drink, blurred out, along with whole and cut peaches scattered around. The setting is bright with natural light and the background shows a window and white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen peaches for this recipe?

Yes, frozen peaches can be used if fresh ones are not available. Thaw them first and drain any excess liquid before proceeding with the recipe.

How can I make this lemonade less sweet?

Simply reduce the initial sugar amount or omit adding extra sugar after mixing. You can always add a little sugar later if needed.

Print
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Peach Lemonade: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Drink Recipe


  • Author: Noah
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: About 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Peach Lemonade recipe is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, combining the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with the tartness of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Perfectly balanced and easy to make, it’s an ideal thirst-quencher for hot days, served chilled with ice and garnished with fresh fruit and mint.


Ingredients

Scale

Peach Syrup

  • 6 ripe peaches, pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Drink

  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 810 lemons)
  • Additional granulated sugar, to taste

Garnishes

  • Lemon slices
  • Peach slices
  • Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Macerate Peaches: Combine chopped peaches and 1 cup of sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir well and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes so the peaches release their juices and macerate.
  2. Simmer the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the peach-sugar mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes until the peaches are very soft and the syrup has thickened slightly.
  3. Strain the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat. Strain the peach mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof bowl, pressing down on the peaches to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solid pulp.
  4. Cool the Syrup: Allow the peach syrup to cool completely before using to avoid diluting or altering the lemonade’s flavor.
  5. Mix Lemonade Base: In a large pitcher, combine 6 cups of water with 1 ½ cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to blend.
  6. Add Peach Syrup: Pour the cooled peach syrup into the pitcher and stir thoroughly to combine the flavors.
  7. Adjust Sweetness: Taste the lemonade and add more sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed until your desired sweetness is achieved. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  8. Complete with Water: Add the remaining 2 cups of water to the pitcher and stir well to balance the concentrate.
  9. Chill the Drink: Cover and refrigerate the peach lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the drink to cool thoroughly.
  10. Prepare Glasses: Fill glasses with ice cubes to keep the lemonade refreshingly cold when served.
  11. Serve: Pour the chilled peach lemonade into the prepared glasses.
  12. Garnish: Add lemon slices, peach slices, and fresh mint sprigs if desired for an attractive presentation and extra aroma.
  13. Enjoy Immediate Refreshment: Serve the peach lemonade immediately for the best taste and cooling effect.

Notes

  • The peach syrup can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to save time.
  • To make the drink less sweet, adjust the sugar or substitute with honey or agave syrup.
  • Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred for authentic taste, but bottled lemon juice can be used if necessary.
  • This recipe is easily doubled for larger batches.
  • For a sparkling version, substitute some or all of the water with sparkling water just before serving.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Peach lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, homemade lemonade, peach syrup

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