Description
A refreshing and vibrant Peach Lemonade recipe combining the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with the tangy brightness of fresh lemon juice. Perfect for hot summer days, this homemade lemonade balances sweetness and tartness through a soothing peach puree and simple syrup, served icy cold and garnished with fresh fruit and mint.
Ingredients
Peach Puree
- 6-8 ripe large peaches (about 3 pounds)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Lemonade Base
- 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 8-10 medium lemons)
For Dilution and Garnish
- 4-6 cups cold water (for dilution)
- Fresh peach slices (for garnish)
- Lemon wheels or wedges (for garnish)
- Fresh mint sprigs (for garnish)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Peaches & Peach Syrup: Wash, pit, and dice 6-8 ripe peaches. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced peaches with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes until the peaches soften completely.
- Make & Cool Peach Puree: Remove the saucepan from heat and thoroughly mash the peaches. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl to extract a smooth peach puree, discarding the solids. Allow the puree to cool 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 let it cool fully.
- Prepare Lemonade Base: Juice 8-10 medium lemons to yield about 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice, straining out seeds and pulp. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup and strained lemon juice, stirring well.
- Assemble Lemonade: Add the cooled peach puree to the lemonade base in the pitcher. Stir vigorously to combine. Start by adding 4 cups of cold water, stirring and tasting, then adjust by adding more water (up to 6 cups total) until desired flavor and sweetness are achieved.
- Chill & Serve: Refrigerate the peach lemonade for at least 30 minutes to chill thoroughly. Serve over plenty of ice, garnished with fresh peach slices, lemon wheels, and mint sprigs. For a sparkling variation, substitute some or all of the dilution water with sparkling water or club soda.
Notes
- Use ripe peaches for maximum sweetness and flavor in the puree.
- Adjust the amount of simple syrup and water to suit personal sweetness and tartness preference.
- Straining the puree ensures a smooth lemonade texture without pulp or skins.
- The lemonade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a boozy twist, add a splash of vodka or white rum before serving.
- Replacing dilution water with sparkling water adds a refreshing fizz.
