Ingredients
- Fresh ripe peaches, pitted and sliced: 4 medium
- Fresh lemon juice: 1 cup
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup
- Water (for simple syrup): 1 cup
- Cold water (for dilution): 4 cups
- Pinch of fine sea salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Ice: For serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the simple syrup by combining the granulated sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool fully.
- Step 2: Make the peach puree by placing the sliced peaches, the cooled simple syrup, and the pinch of salt into a blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and liquid.
- Step 3: Strain the peach mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large pitcher to remove any remaining pulp or skin solids. Use a spatula to press down on the solids to extract all the liquid, then discard the remaining pulp.
- Step 4: Add the 1 cup of fresh lemon juice and the remaining 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher containing the peach syrup. Stir the mixture vigorously until all components are thoroughly combined.
- Step 5: Refrigerate the peach lemonade for at least 1 hour, or until it is well-chilled. Serve the homemade peach lemonade immediately over glasses filled with ice.
Notes
- Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; remember to give the pitcher a vigorous stir before serving as the fruit puree tends to settle quickly at the bottom.
- If the chilled lemonade tastes slightly flat after sitting out, stir in a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than adding more ice to the whole batch, which helps re-sharpen the flavor profile.
- For an elegant presentation, serve this lemonade over crushed ice and garnish each glass with a few thin peach slices and a sprig of fresh mint.
- The included pinch of sea salt is not for seasoning but acts as a secret weapon to dramatically brighten the natural sweetness of the peaches and balance the tartness of the lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American