Perfect Peach Lemonade
This refreshing Peach Lemonade recipe combines the tangy zest of fresh lemons with the sweet, juicy flavor of ripe peaches for a delightful summer drink. It's easy to make and perfect for barbecues, picnics, or a relaxing afternoon.
Equipment
- Blender or Food Processor
- Fine-mesh sieve (optional)
- Small saucepan
- Juicer (for lemons)
- Large pitcher
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon or spatula
- Ice cube tray (for slushie variation)
- Glasses for serving
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium ripe peaches, preferably freestone
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice from 6-8 lemons
- 6 cups water, filtered
- 1 cup granulated sugar or honey/agave
- Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish optional
- Peach slices, for garnish optional
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Wash and pit the peaches. Roughly chop them and place them in a blender or food processor.
- Blend the peaches until you have a smooth puree.
- For an extra smooth lemonade, strain the peach puree through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down with a spoon to extract all the juice. This step is optional.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to make a simple syrup.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved (about 3-5 minutes). The mixture should be clear and syrupy.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the simple syrup cool completely.
- Juice the lemons to obtain 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, peach puree (strained or unstrained), and lemon juice.
- Pour in the remaining 5 cups of water and stir everything together until well combined.
- Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness as needed. If it's too tart, add more simple syrup (or sugar dissolved in a little water). If it's too sweet, add a little more lemon juice.
- Refrigerate the Peach Lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled over ice, garnished with fresh mint sprigs and peach slices, if desired.
Notes
For the best flavor, use ripe, fragrant peaches and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Adjust the sweetness to your preference. The simple syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. To prevent the peach puree from browning, add a squeeze of lemon juice to it. For a sparkling lemonade, substitute some of the water with sparkling water or club soda just before serving. Store leftover lemonade in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.