Description
Refreshing homemade ginger peach drink, perfect for summer! Made with a flavorful peach ginger syrup, this beverage is easy to customize and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ripe peaches, pitted and roughly chopped
- 1 (2-inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 6 cups water, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Optional garnishes: Peach slices, fresh mint sprigs, ginger slices
Instructions
- Combine Peaches, Ginger, Sugar, and Water: In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped peaches, sliced ginger, sugar, and 2 cups of water. Make sure the peaches are relatively uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- Bring to a Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Keep a close eye on it to prevent it from boiling over.
- Simmer and Reduce: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for about 20-25 minutes, or until the peaches are very soft and the liquid has reduced slightly and thickened into a syrupy consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The peaches should be almost falling apart.
- Strain the Syrup: Place a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander over a heatproof bowl. Carefully pour the peach mixture into the sieve, allowing the syrup to drain into the bowl. Use the back of a spoon to gently press on the peaches to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids (or save them for another use, like adding to oatmeal or yogurt!).
- Cool the Syrup: Let the syrup cool completely before using it. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the bowl in an ice bath. The syrup will thicken further as it cools.
- Combine Syrup, Water, and Lemon Juice: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled peach ginger syrup, the remaining 4 cups of water, and the fresh lemon juice. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more syrup. If you prefer a tarter drink, add more lemon juice.
- Chill the Drink: Refrigerate the drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This step is important for a refreshing and well-balanced drink. You can chill it for longer, even overnight, for an even more intense flavor.
- Serve and Garnish: Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the ginger peach drink over the ice. Garnish with peach slices, fresh mint sprigs, or ginger slices, if desired. These garnishes add a visual appeal and enhance the overall drinking experience.
Notes
- Use Different Types of Peaches: Feel free to experiment with different varieties of peaches, such as white peaches or donut peaches, for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Add Other Fruits: Enhance the flavor by adding other fruits like nectarines, plums, or berries to the syrup-making process.
- Spice it Up: For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small piece of chili pepper to the syrup while it’s simmering.
- Make it Bubbly: Top off the drink with sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy and refreshing twist.
- Add Alcohol: Turn this into a cocktail by adding a shot of vodka, gin, or rum to each glass. Peach schnapps would also be a delicious addition.
- Adjust Sweetness: The amount of sugar can be adjusted to your preference.
- Ginger Intensity: If you prefer a stronger ginger flavor, use more ginger or let the ginger steep in the syrup for a longer period of time.
- Make it a Slushie: Blend the chilled drink with ice for a frozen slushie.
- Infuse the Water: For a lighter flavor, infuse the water with peach and ginger slices instead of making a syrup.
- Storing the Syrup: The peach ginger syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Troubleshooting:
- Drink is too sweet: Add more lemon juice or water to dilute the sweetness.
- Drink is not sweet enough: Add more syrup or sugar to taste.
- Ginger flavor is too strong: Use less ginger in the syrup or dilute the drink with more water.
- Ginger flavor is not strong enough: Use more ginger in the syrup or grate some fresh ginger directly into the drink.
- Syrup is too thick: Add a little water to thin it out.
- Syrup is too thin: Simmer it for a longer period of time to reduce it further.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes