Lemonade is a refreshing summer favorite, but I’ll admit I’ll take any excuse to enjoy it year-round. I’ve already shared recipes for Lebanese mint lemonade, Brazilian creamy lemonade, and ginger lemonade (alongside several other lemonade recipes including a classic lemonade, of course). Now it’s the turn of this sweet and fruity peach lemonade recipe. With just three ingredients plus water, this fresh peach lemonade is an incredibly simple yet surprisingly flavorful thirst-quenching summer drink with a fruity twist. Plus, after reading that there’s a suspected heatwave due to come our way next month, it’s the perfect time for this recipe! With a combination of sweet peaches and tart lemons, this peach drink is super refreshing. Meanwhile, there are several ways to adapt the recipe to your liking, too. Whether you want to experiment with flavors to make a peach green tea lemonade, raspberry peach lemonade, peach mango lemonade, a sugar-free version, etc., all free from preservatives, chemicals, and anything artificial. Want to enjoy more perfectly peachy treats? You could try this peach iced tea or grilled peach burrata salad!
The Ingredients
Peach simple syrup: This homemade peach syrup requires just 3 ingredients (peaches, a sweetener, and water) and is ready in 15 minutes (not including 30-min cooling time), with minimal prep and effort. Water: I like to use filtered water, but tap water is fine too if you live somewhere where it’s drinkable.
Alternatively, you could use sparkling water/soda water, coconut water, or even mix in a bit of alcohol, such as bourbon, vodka, rum, or even peach schnapps.
Lemon juice: Meyer lemons are wonderful for their sweeter flavor. However, any lemon will work. Lime juice will also work.
Optional Add-ins and Variations
The light, fruity flavor of peaches makes them fairly versatile and a wonderful pairing to several flavors, such as:
Sugar-free lemonade: use a sugar-free sweetener when making the peach lemonade syrup. The syrup won’t be thick or syrupy, but it will work for flavor. Green tea: make a delicious peach green tea lemonade (like a Starbucks copycat recipe) by swapping out the water added to the syrup and lemon juice for brewed green tea instead. Allow it to cool before assembling the recipe. Berries: substitute some peaches for berries for different flavor combinations like raspberry peach lemonade or strawberry peach lemonade, etc. Mango: aside from berries, peach mango lemonade is a top favorite of mine. I recommend substituting 1/4-1/3 of the peaches for mango as it’s a stronger flavor. Adjust the ratio to your liking, though. Spices: vanilla and ginger both pair well with the drink and can be added to the syrup while it infuses. Herbs: add a small handful of mint or perhaps rosemary or basil for an aromatic, herby peach drink. Rosewater: start with ½ tablespoon added directly into the prepared lemonade and increase to taste. Chia seeds: add around ¼ cup of chia seeds to the full pitcher and leave them to soak for a couple of hours for a drink that is delicious and nutritious, with added texture, protein, omegas, and other nutrients.
How to Make Peach Lemonade?
First, prepare the peach syrup by combining the chopped peaches, ½ cup sugar, and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Then, reduce to a simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the peaches are becoming mushy. Remove it from the heat, cool for 30 minutes (to room temperature), then strain through a sieve. For more exact details, top tips, and all other information, please refer to this peach syrup recipe post! Then, juice the lemons using one of these 6 methods. I highly recommend zesting the lemons first, so you can save it for other uses or even use some lemon peel twirls as a garnish for peach drinks and other drinks and desserts. Then, in a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, peach mixture (there should be around 1 cup), and 3 cups of water/sparkling water, and stir. Finally, give it a taste and adjust any of the elements (syrup, citrus, water) to your liking. If you plan to serve it all immediately, you can also add ice directly to the pitcher. I usually recommend adding the ice to individual glasses, though, so the entire batch doesn’t become watered down.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
Make ahead: you can prepare the syrup several days in advance and keep it stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Store: you can store the lemonade in the fridge for between 5-7 days. If you add any fresh fruits or herbs to the lemonade, swap these out daily. Otherwise, aim to consume the entire batch within 1-2 days. Bonus tip: to make refreshing popsicles – pour the lemonade into popsicle molds, optionally with a few fresh berries, and freeze for up to 2 months. Voila!
Recipe Top Tips and Notes
Adjust the flavor to taste: by adjusting the ratio of citrus to syrup, you can decide how sweet or tart it is, and which flavors are strongest. Swap the liquid: dilute the peach and lemon with water, sparkling water, soda, or even coconut water. Experiment to find your desired version. Using leftover syrup and peach solids: there are tons of ways to enjoy them. Check out the syrup recipe post for plenty of suggestions for using the syrup as well as ways to use the strained peach solids. Use the best peaches available: ripe, in-season peaches are best. Out of the main peach season, you may still find several delicious varieties OR turn to frozen peaches. To make a peach slushie: blend the peach syrup and lemon juice with a small amount of water and plenty of ice in a high-speed blender, for an instant slushy. For the best color: use peaches with the reddest skin you can find and leave the skin on while making the syrup.
More Refreshing Drink Recipes
Bloody Mary (Classic or Virgin) Easy strawberry milk (chunky or blended) Blackberry Earl Grey iced tea Fresh Ginger Ale Recipe
If you try this simple peach lemonade recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
