I have been all about lists lately. Sometimes when I feel really overwhelmed with all the things I need to do, it just helps to write them down. Nine times out of ten, I’ve built things up in my head to be worse than they are and seeing everything laid out on paper immediately reduces my stress. And I always include things on the list that I’ve previously done so I can cross them off and feel like I’ve already been super productive π
I mentioned the other day that we hosted a little get-together for my mom’s birthday this past weekend. Shane and I had come up with a pre-party to-do list – mostly cleaning and shopping that needed to be done and dishes that could be made in advance, including this peach lemonade.
The lemonade kept getting pushed down the list in favor of getting other things deemed more important finished. I wasn’t worried, I figured worst case scenario I could whip it up as people arrived. Had I read the recipe all the way through ahead of time I would have realized this wasn’t possible, as it calls for a 3 hour refrigeration period. This is about the millionith time I’ve run into that problem, I’m pretty sure I’m never going to learn my lesson…
So, consider this your advance warning – plan ahead if you want to serve this lemonade! And you’ll want to, trust me. It’s super easy; you infuse a simple syrup with peach flavor, then stir the mixture into freshly squeezed lemon juice. The result is not too sweet, and wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer afternoon. Serve as-is for kids, or add a splash of alcohol for adults – you can’t go wrong either way!
Peach Lemonade
from Cooking Light, June 2012
4 cups water
2 cups coarsely chopped peaches
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
ice (for serving)
1 peach, cut into wedges (for serving)
Add the water, peaches and sugar to a medium saucepan. Stir to combine, then set the pan over medium to medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Transfer the mixture to your blender and let cool for 15-20 minutes.
Remove the center piece from your blender’s lid (to allow the steam to escape) then replace the lid. Place a kitchen towel over the opening and put your hand on top of the towel, then blend the peach mixture until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a heatproof bowl. Discard the solids. Refrigerate the strained mixture for at least 3 hours.
Right before serving, stir the lemon juice into the chilled peach syrup. Add 1/2 cup ice to each glass and top with the lemonade. Garnish with peach wedges, if desired.
So pretty! I have tons of peaches & nectarines to use – great idea!
This looks fabulous! It’s tasty AND pretty π
Looks great! sandie
I love creating lists too! And this lemonade – looove it! I’ve been meaning to make lemonade for the longest time! And don’t worry about the refrigeration problems you keep runing into – I run into the same thing all the time!
I lost count how many times I didn’t read the entire recipe just to find out in the middle of it it need extra time, or an extra step or something.
The peach lemonade sounds refreshing, perfect with all the peaches at the farmers market
Looks delicious! I will try it ASAP π
I love peach lemonade. It’s so good and refreshing and summery π Yours looks delicious.
Yum! This looks so refreshing!!
this looks SO refreshing and totally something i would be drinking constantly out of a pitcher! gorgeous color π
This lemonade sounds amazing – I love peach lemonade, but I’ve never had the from-scratch kind and so happy you shared! I’m featuring this post in today’s Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and I can’t wait to see what you create nextβ¦
I made Peach Lemonade earlier this week too! Yours looks so pretty!
I showed this recipe to my 22 year old son yesterday and he demanded (okay, begged) I make it! He wanted to mix it with iced tea – I called it a Peachy Palmer, but he also loved the peach lemonade on its own.
Looks so good! I love it.
Great minds think alike!:) I posted about this yesterday too. It’s such a refreshing drink and not too tart! Your pics look great!
I just want to say each time I see something I just love at first sight on FoodGawker in inevitably ends up to be some scrumptious recipe for your blog! π *I just signed up for your email subscription. π I officially LOVE your blog! π
This looks absolutely delicious and I adore peaches! π Cannot wait to try this recipe and share it with all my friends!
Blessings!
~Miss Rachel~
These photos are so beautiful! And I bet the drink was super refreshing.
I need to go make a to do list right now but I don’t wanna! π
Looks very yummy! Can’t wait to try it.