Name: Refreshing Peach Lemonade Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6-8 large ripe peaches (about 3 pounds), washed, pitted, and diced; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup water; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup water; 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 8-10 medium lemons, strained); 4-6 cups cold water (for dilution); Fresh peach slices (for garnish); Fresh lemon wheels or wedges (for garnish); Fresh mint sprigs (for garnish); Ice cubes (for serving)

Ingredients

6-8 ripe large peaches (about 3 pounds)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for peach puree)

1/2 cup water (for peach puree)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for peach puree)

1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 8-10 medium lemons)

1 cup granulated sugar (for simple syrup)

1 cup water (for simple syrup)

4-6 cups cold water (for dilution)

Fresh peach slices (for garnish)

Fresh lemon wheels or wedges (for garnish)

Fresh mint sprigs (for garnish)

Ice cubes (for serving)

Instructions

Prepare Peaches & Peach Syrup: Wash, pit, and dice the peaches. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced peaches, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes until the peaches are very soft.

Make & Cool Peach Puree: Remove from heat and mash the peaches thoroughly. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl to extract smooth peach puree; discard the solids. Let the puree cool completely to room temperature.

Prepare Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

Prepare Lemonade Base: Juice the lemons to yield about 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice, straining out any seeds or pulp. In a large pitcher, mix the cooled simple syrup with the lemon juice and stir well.

Assemble Lemonade: Add the cooled peach puree to the lemonade base and stir vigorously to combine. Begin by adding 4 cups of cold water, stir, and taste. Gradually add more water (up to 6 cups) until the desired strength and sweetness is reached.

Chill & Serve: Refrigerate the peach lemonade for at least 30 minutes to chill thoroughly. Serve over ice cubes, garnished with fresh peach slices, lemon wheels, and mint sprigs. For a sparkling version, substitute some or all the water with sparkling water or club soda.

Tips & Variations

Choose ripe, fragrant peaches for the best flavor and natural sweetness.

Strain the peach puree well to achieve a smooth, velvety texture.

Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of simple syrup or adding honey for a different taste.

For an adult version, add a splash of vodka or rum before serving.

Try adding a pinch of fresh ginger or basil for a unique twist.

Storage

Store any leftover peach lemonade in a covered pitcher or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving. If the lemonade has been diluted too much after sitting, you can add a little extra lemon juice or simple syrup to refresh the flavor. Serve chilled with ice for best results.

FAQs

Can I use frozen peaches instead of fresh ones?

Yes, frozen peaches can be used if fresh ripe peaches are not available. Thaw them completely before cooking to get the best flavor and texture in your puree.

How can I make this peach lemonade less sweet?

Reduce the amount of simple syrup or use less added sugar in the peach puree. You can also increase the amount of water added to dilute the lemonade until it reaches your preferred balance of sweetness and tartness.