Peach Lemonade: The Ultimate Refreshing Summer Drink Recipe
Peach Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink combining the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with the tangy brightness of fresh lemon juice. This homemade beverage is perfect for cooling down on hot days, featuring a delightful peach syrup base mixed with lemonade and garnished with fresh fruit and mint for a vibrant, thirst-quenching treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour including chilling and macerating time
- Yield: About 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Peach Syrup
- 6 ripe peaches, pitted and roughly chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
- 2 cups water, divided (for cooking and syrup preparation)
Lemonade
- 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 8–10 lemons)
- 6 cups water
Garnishes
- Lemon slices
- Peach slices
- Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Macerate the Peaches: Combine the chopped peaches and 1 cup of granulated sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir well, then let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to macerate, allowing the peaches to release their natural juices and soften.
- Simmer the Peach Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes until the peaches are very soft and the syrup has thickened slightly.
- 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 peach pulp and let the syrup cool completely before proceeding.
- Prepare the Lemonade Base: In a large pitcher, combine 6 cups of water and 1 ½ cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to mix the lemonade base.
- Mix in the Peach Syrup: Pour the cooled peach syrup into the pitcher with the lemonade base and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mixture and add additional sugar, one tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition, until the desired sweetness is reached.
- Dilute and Chill: Add the remaining 2 cups of water to the pitcher, stir well, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and chill the drink.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the chilled peach lemonade over the ice, and garnish with lemon slices, peach slices, and fresh mint sprigs if desired. Serve immediately for the best refreshing experience.
Notes
- For a smoother syrup, you can blend the peach mixture before straining.
- Adjust sugar according to the sweetness of the peaches and personal preference.
- This drink can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For extra fizz, substitute some of the water with sparkling water just before serving.
- Use ripe, fragrant peaches for the best flavor.
Keywords: peach lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, fresh lemonade, peach syrup, homemade drink
