Bourbon Peach Lemonade

I am on a bit of a peach kick at the moment.  They have looked oh so amazing at the store recently, and my boyfriend is a huge fan, so why not? Expect a couple more peach recipes to show up on here in the coming weeks. (I’ll try to space them out a bit.)

A friend of mine made this absolutely delicious Honey-Ginger Sparkling Bourbon Lemonade a few months back that I haven’t stopped thinking about. It was SO good! So when I spotted Cooking Light’s recipe for a Peachy Bourbon Lemonade, I had to make it immediately, hoping it would be similarly delicious.

This lemonade is such a treat during this uncomfortably hot weather we are having. It would be just as yummy and refreshing without the bourbon (either as a non-alcoholic drink or with another spirit of choice).

Ingredients (Serves 4):

• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups chopped, peeled peaches (I used white peaches)
• ¼ cup lightly packed mint leaves
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• ¾ cup bourbon
• Ice

Note: Bourbon does include grains that contain gluten. However, distilled alcohol is considered gluten-free because the process of distillation removes the harmful gluten protein, which is why I have this recipe listed as gluten free. If you are highly sensitive to gluten, bourbon may be off limits for you.

To make, add the water, chopped and peeled peaches, mint leaves, and sugar to a small pot.

Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. (Your kitchen will start to smell absolutely wonderful. Refrain from trying to drink this scalding hot liquid and just enjoy the aroma. Patience, my friends, patience.) Add the mixture to a heat/freezer safe container and add to the freezer for 30 minutes.

While waiting for the mixture to cool, juice your lemons into a large pitcher.

The mixture will still be a bit warm when you remove it from the freezer. That’s a-ok. Place a fine sieve over a bowl and strain the mixture. Discard the solids.

Add to the lemon juice and mix to combine.  Stir in the bourbon. Add ice to a glass and fill with the lemonade.

If desired, garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of mint.

If enjoying immediately, be sure to really bulk up on the ice. This drink can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge (with or without the bourbon already added).

What’s so nice about this recipe is that you can taste every component of the drink. You first taste the sweetness of the peaches, followed by a subtle mint flavor, then finished with a lemon-bourbon taste. It’s really wonderful!

Related posts:

Sparkling Honey-Ginger Bourbon Lemonade Grilled Peach Old Fashioned Cocktail Homemade Maraschino Cherries Mojito Slushies