Fresh Peach Lemonade

Refreshing peach lemonade makes a gorgeous and not-too-sweet summertime sipper. Our recipe incorporates some smart techniques to help yield the best flavor, even from early season or lackluster peaches. Chopping or slicing the fruit then simmering in a sugar syrup helps to soften it and infuses the syrup with fresh peach essence.

With a little heat, the peach skins slip off effortlessly, so you can enjoy peach flavor without the fuzz. Adding the lemon juice and half of the water once the peach syrup is cooked helps to cool the mixture so it’s ready to enjoy sooner, with less time chilling in the fridge.

Serve it over crushed or pellet ice from the first peach of the season to the very last. You can even make this peach lemonade into a concentrate to stash in the freezer to sweeten up a chillier day while dreaming of peach season’s return.

Peach Lemonade Ingredients

• Water: The all important base for peach lemonade is water. Cooking half of it into a syrup with peaches and sugar infuses it with peach flavor. Adding the remaining water helps cool the mixture down.
• Peaches: Chopped fresh peaches infuse this lemonade with peach flavor and the skins help tint the lemonade pink.
• Sugar: White sugar has a neutral sweetness that lets the peach flavor shine. You can reduce the volume of sugar in this recipe, if you like.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is an essential element for lemonade. Sliced rings of fresh lemon make a lovely garnish and add extra tart flavor.
• Mint sprigs (optional): Fresh mint sprigs in each glass of lemonade add a refreshing aroma to peach lemonade, but they’re optional.

Directions

Step 1: Simmer the fresh peach syrup

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In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water, the peaches and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and simmer for five to seven minutes or until the peaches are tender. Remove the pan from the heat. Let the mixture cool, then strain it, discarding the peach skins.

Step 2: Add water and lemon

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In a large pitcher, combine the peach mixture, lemon juice and remaining 2 cups of water. Add lemon slices and garnish with mint, if desired. Serve over ice.

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Peach Lemonade Variations

• Swap citrus: Substitute lime juice and sliced limes for the lemons in this recipe to make peach limeade.
• Add a different herb: Instead of adding fresh mint, add fresh basil or fresh lavender blossoms to give this peach lemonade a different herbal aroma.
• Make it without heat: You can make a cold-steeped version of this lemonade by combining the peaches with sugar and water and storing it in the fridge. Stir often until the sugar dissolves, then add the remaining water and lemon. The peach flavor won’t be quite as strong as the cooked version, but you’ll retain that lovely fresh peach flavor.
• Drop in some berries: Adding fresh raspberries or blackberries to this finished lemonade makes a pretty, summery addition.

How to Store Peach Lemonade

Store any remaining peach lemonade in the refrigerator and use it within three days for the best flavor.

Can you freeze peach lemonade?  

Yes, you can freeze peach lemonade as it is (make sure to leave enough headspace in the container). If you know you want to make it ahead of time, make the syrup as instructed and add lemon juice, but hold off on adding the remaining two cups of water and lemon rings. You can freeze the entire block of peach lemonade concentrate and then add two cups of water to serve to help it defrost. Alternatively, freeze the concentrate in ice cube trays and add them to individual glasses topped with water to serve.

Peach Lemonade Tips

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What kind of peaches can you use to make peach lemonade?

You can use freestone or clingstone peaches for this peach lemonade recipe. Yellow peaches have more pronounced acidity, while white peaches are a little more floral. Have more peaches to use up? Take a look at some of our favorite peach recipes for farm stand fruit.

What’s the easiest way to juice lemons?

Grab your food processor and fit it with your dough blade to juice lemons the easy way. Make sure to wash them first!

Can you double this peach lemonade recipe?

Absolutely. Simply double the quantities of all of the ingredients to make 10 servings.