Sweet & Tart Peach Lemonade Recipe: Perfect Summer Refreshment Recipe
This Sweet & Tart Peach Lemonade recipe is the perfect refreshing summer drink, combining the natural sweetness of ripe peaches with the bright tartness of fresh lemons. Easy to make from scratch, it features a smooth peach puree and homemade lemon simple syrup, creating a balanced and flavorful beverage that’s ideal for hot days. Serve chilled over ice with fresh peach slices, lemon wheels, and mint sprigs for a delightful presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
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)
- 4–6 cups cold water (for dilution)
Garnishes
- Fresh peach slices
- Lemon wheels or wedges
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Prepare Peach Puree: Wash, pit, and dice 6-8 ripe peaches. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced peaches, 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 are very soft and tender.
- Strain Peach Puree: Remove the saucepan from heat. Mash the softened peaches thoroughly, then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl to extract a smooth peach puree. Discard the solids and let the puree cool completely to room temperature.
- Make Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves fully. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely.
- Juice the Lemons: Juice 8-10 medium lemons until you have about 1 1/2 cups of fresh juice. Strain the juice to remove seeds and pulp, ensuring a smooth lemon liquid.
- Combine Lemonade Base: In a large pitcher, mix the cooled simple syrup with the strained lemon juice. Stir well to blend the flavors evenly.
- Add Peach Puree: Add the cooled peach puree into the lemonade base. Stir vigorously to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Dilute and Taste: Begin by adding 4 cups of cold water, stirring thoroughly and tasting. Gradually add more water—up to 6 cups total—until you reach the desired balance of sweetness and tartness.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the peach lemonade for at least 30 minutes to chill. Serve the lemonade over ice cubes, garnished with fresh peach slices, lemon wheels, and mint sprigs. For a sparkling twist, substitute some or all of the cold water with sparkling water or club soda.
Notes
- Use ripe, fragrant peaches for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Adjust the sugar and water ratio based on your sweetness preference and the natural sweetness of your fruit.
- For a fizzy version, replace dilution water with sparkling water or club soda just before serving.
- Store leftover lemonade in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
- To make the lemonade vegan and gluten-free, ensure sugar is vegan-friendly and check ingredients accordingly.
Keywords: peach lemonade, summer drink, homemade lemonade, fresh peach recipe, refreshing beverage, peach puree, lemon juice, summer refreshment
