Lemon Peach Sparkling Mocktail

Keep it as a mocktail or make it a cocktail this lemon peach sparking mocktail celebrates peach season in all it’s glory.

I am excited to announce that peach season is upon us! What a perfect way to enjoy this super sweet fruit in its peak than in a refreshing beverage. I should also mention that this lemon peach mocktail is an easy one to turn into a cocktail if you so choose.

I recently just went peach picking, which until last week I didn’t even know existed in New Jersey. Did you know that you can pick fruit other than apples in the Fall? While it’s not as nostalgic as apple picking because let’s be real we only do it for the Fall inspired outfits and the cider doughnuts, it’s a great way to get the freshest peaches at its peak. Now i know Georgia is known for their peaches, but New Jersey peaches are actually really good (dare i say better?). Maybe it’s because they just came off the tree or maybe there is something in that New Jersey soil. Whatever it is they are completely underrated and deserve some spotlight.

Truth be told, I have somewhat of a peach addiction, in fact this past weekend I picked 16 lbs of peaches… yes 16 lbs. While I can eat peaches all day there is no way I could eat 16 lbs. So, on top of the traditional jam, galette, and peach ice cream, I decided to make this super refreshing drink that screams summer.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR LEMON PEACH SPARKLING MOCKTAIL

• Peaches – Ripe, soft, & sweet. If you want to use frozen peaches that works too!
• Lemons
• Simple Syrup – Optional if you want to make this a bit sweeter. I opted for a mint simple syrup for this version however plain works just fine. Check out my Grapefruit Thyme Cocktail post for details on how to make it.
• Sparkling Water or Seltzer
• Blender

HOW TO MAKE THIS REFRESHING MOCKTAIL

Step 1, pick your own peaches. Just kidding.

Make Peach Juice – Add the chopped peaches and fresh lemon juice to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the peach and lemon mixture in a fine mesh strainer to remove any bits of skin that the blender could not liquify. After straining this should yield approx. 2 cups of purée ( = approx. 2 liters of beverage, unless you change the concentration).

Make the Drink – For 1 L add 1 cup of purée to a carafe or pitcher. Top off the caraf with sparking water or seltzer. Depending on taste feel free to add simple syrup to make it sweeter (see simple recipe below)

Optional Simple Syrup – Combine 1 cup of water, and 1 cup of granulated sugar, in a saucepan over low heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved and take it off the stove to cool. Feel free to cut this recipe in half or in 1/4ths depending on how much you need. Wait until it is completely cooled before using.

As always just because I like mocktails more doesn’t meant it needs to stay a mocktail. This lemon peach sparkling mocktail can easily transform into a cocktail with a little addition of your favorite liquor. My suggestion, vodka.

STORING

This recipe yields 2 liters, which is 2 cups of purée. In the event you just want 1 liter, cut the recipe in half. In the event you want to create the full recipe but don’t want to consume 2 liters or want to make this in advance the peach lemon purée can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to a week. The purée might separate in the fridge, when you want to use it give it a stir or a shake first!