This peach lemonade is sweet, tangy, and absolutely refreshing. Fresh peaches are simmered with lemon zest, vanilla, and sugar until they're soft and fragrant, then mixed with bright lemon juice and cold water to create a fruity drink that tastes like summer in a glass. I started making this a few summers ago when I had a basket of ripe peaches that were too soft to eat on their own, and it's been my go-to drink for hot afternoons ever since.
If you love homemade drinks like Italian cream soda or strawberry iced tea, this peach lemonade belongs in your recipe collection. Serve it at picnics, cookouts, or just pour yourself a glass alongside something sweet like apple iced tea for a refreshing treat.
Why You'll Love This Peach Lemonade
This peach lemonade is made from scratch with real fruit, so it tastes fresh and natural without any artificial flavors or colors. It's perfect for summer gatherings, backyard barbecues, or anytime you want something cold and refreshing. The recipe makes 7 servings, so it's great for sharing, and you can easily double it if you're feeding a crowd. Plus, it's customizable, you can adjust the sweetness, add sparkling water for fizz, or even spike it with a splash of vodka or rum for an adult version.
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INGREDIANTS Peach Lemonade
Here's everything you need to make this fresh, fruity peach lemonade from scratch.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Fresh peaches (about 6 peaches): The base of the drink. Use ripe, juicy peaches for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Fresh lemon zest (about 2 lemons): Adds bright citrus flavor and aromatics to the peach syrup.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a subtle warmth and depth that complements the peaches beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the peach syrup and balances the tartness of the lemon juice.
- Cold water (divided): Used to simmer the peaches and then to dilute the final lemonade to the perfect strength.
- Fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons): Provides the tart, tangy base that makes this lemonade so refreshing.
Ice (optional): Keeps the lemonade cold and refreshing.
For Garnishing:
- Lemon slices: Adds a pretty, citrusy touch to each glass.
- Fresh peach slices: Makes the drink look gorgeous and reinforces the peach flavor.
- Fresh mint: Adds a pop of color and a refreshing herbal note.
How to Make Peach Lemonade
This homemade peach lemonade comes together in a few simple steps.
- Simmer the peach mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the peaches, lemon zest, vanilla extract, sugar, and 2 cups of water. Adjust the heat to keep it at a gentle simmer, avoid boiling. The mixture should bubble softly around the edges.
- Cook until soft: Cook the peach mixture until the peaches are soft and can be easily mashed, about 15 to 25 minutes. The exact time will vary depending on how ripe your peaches are. You'll know they're ready when they fall apart easily when pressed with a spoon.
- Mash the peaches: Use a masher or a wooden spoon to mash the peaches into a chunky pulp. This releases all the juices and flavor into the syrup.
- Cool completely: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the peach mixture cool completely. Transfer it to the refrigerator and chill for about 1 to 2 hours. This helps the flavors develop and makes the final lemonade cold and refreshing.
- Strain the mixture: Once cooled, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the peach solids. Press gently to extract as much liquid as possible. You can save the solids for another recipe like smoothies or yogurt parfaits.
- Mix the lemonade: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, the remaining 4 cups of cold water, and ice if using. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
- Garnish and serve: Pour the peach lemonade into glasses and garnish with lemon slices, fresh peach slices, or mint. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
This peach lemonade is easy to customize based on what you have or what you prefer.
Peaches: Swap fresh peaches for frozen peaches if fresh aren't in season. You can also use nectarines or apricots for a different flavor.
Sweetener: Use honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar. Adjust to taste.
Lemon juice: Use lime juice for a peach limeade variation.
Sparkling version: Replace some or all of the cold water with sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy peach lemonade.
Adult version: Add a splash of vodka, rum, or prosecco to make it a boozy summer cocktail.
Herbal twist: Add fresh basil, rosemary, or thyme to the peach mixture while it simmers for an herbal note.
EQUIPMENT
Here's the simple gear that makes this peach lemonade come together easily.
Medium saucepan: For simmering the peaches with the sugar and lemon zest.
Wooden spoon or masher: For mashing the softened peaches.
Strainer: For removing the peach solids and creating a smooth lemonade.
Measuring cups and spoons: For measuring ingredients accurately.
Glasses for serving: For serving the finished lemonade.
How to Store Peach Lemonade
This peach lemonade keeps well and tastes great for days.
Refrigerator: Store the peach lemonade in a pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. Stir well before serving as the peach syrup may settle at the bottom.
Freezer: You can freeze the peach syrup (before adding lemon juice and water) in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge, then mix with lemon juice and water when ready to serve.
Make-Ahead: Prepare the peach syrup a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge. Mix with lemon juice and water just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This peach lemonade is delicious on its own, but here are a few ways to enjoy it.
Serve it in mason jars with colorful straws for a rustic, picnic vibe. Pour it over crushed ice for an extra-cold, slushy texture. Serve it alongside grilled burgers, BBQ, or sandwiches at summer cookouts. Use it as a base for cocktails by adding vodka, gin, or sparkling wine.
Expert Tips
Here are a few tricks to make sure your peach lemonade turns out sweet, tangy, and perfectly balanced.
Use ripe peaches: The riper the peaches, the sweeter and more flavorful your lemonade will be. Look for peaches that give slightly when pressed.
Don't boil the peach mixture: Keep it at a gentle simmer. Boiling can make the syrup cloudy and change the flavor.
Strain well: Press the peach solids gently to extract all the syrup, but don't force too much pulp through or the lemonade will be cloudy.
Taste and adjust: Everyone's taste is different, so taste the lemonade before serving and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed.
Chill completely: The lemonade tastes best when it's ice cold, so make sure to chill it thoroughly before serving.
Fresh lemon juice is key: Bottled lemon juice won't give you the same bright, fresh flavor. Use freshly squeezed lemons for the best results.
FAQ
Is peach lemonade good?
Yes, peach lemonade is absolutely delicious. The combination of sweet, juicy peaches and tart, refreshing lemon juice creates a perfectly balanced drink that's fruity, tangy, and incredibly refreshing. It's a step up from regular lemonade and tastes like summer in a glass. My mom always says it's the perfect drink for hot days because it's sweet enough to feel like a treat but light enough to keep you cool.
What fruit mixes well with peach lemonade?
peach lemonade pair beautifully with lots of fruits. Berries like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries work great, and so do other stone fruits like nectarines, plums, and apricots. Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, and orange complement peaches nicely, and even tropical fruits like mango and pineapple can work in a fruity blend. For this peach lemonade, the lemon is the perfect match because it balances the sweetness of the peaches.
What's the secret to perfect peach lemonade?
The secret to perfect peach lemonade is using fresh lemon juice, balancing the sweet and tart flavors, and making sure it's ice cold. The ratio of lemon juice to sugar to water is key, start with 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 6 cups water, then adjust to taste. In this peach lemonade, the peach syrup adds natural sweetness and flavor, so you get a more complex, fruity drink that's still perfectly balanced.
Can I get a peach lemonade mix?
Yes, you can buy powdered peach lemonade mixes at the store, but they usually contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. Homemade peach lemonade made with fresh peaches and real lemon juice tastes so much better and uses natural ingredients. Plus, you can control the sweetness and adjust it to your taste. Making it from scratch only takes about 30 minutes of active time, and the rest is just chilling.
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Peach Lemonade
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh peaches, lemon zest, vanilla extract, sugar, and 2 cups of cold water. Heat over medium heat, but do not let it come to a boil.
- Cook the mixture for about 15-25 minutes, or until the peaches soften enough to be easily mashed. The cooking time may vary depending on the ripeness of the peaches.
- Mash the peaches using a masher or wooden spoon, breaking them down into a pulp.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool completely in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. This allows the flavors to fully infuse.
- Once cooled, strain the peach mixture through a fine mesh strainer, discarding the solids (or set them aside for another use).
- Pour the fresh lemon juice, the remaining 4 cups of cold water, and ice into the strained peach mixture.
- Stir everything together until well combined, and pour into glasses. Garnish with lemon slices, fresh peach slices, or mint, and serve chilled.
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