There's something magical about sipping a glass of ice-cold Peach Lemonade on a sweltering summer day. The combination of sweet, juicy peaches and tart, zesty lemons creates a refreshingly bright flavor that dances across your taste buds with every sip.
I first made this recipe on a hot afternoon when my peach tree delivered a bumper crop. A quick lemonade experiment turned into an instant favorite, and now, no cookout or picnic feels complete without it. It's super easy, budget-friendly, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser from kids to grandparents alike.
Ready to beat the heat in the most delicious way? Let’s dive into this peachy perfection.
Why You'll Love This Peach Lemonade
Get ready to meet your go-to drink for warm-weather gatherings, lazy afternoons, or anytime you need a splash of sunshine in a glass. This Peach Lemonade is more than just tasty—it’s irresistibly convenient and refreshingly adaptable.
First, it’s crazy easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a simple stovetop peach syrup, this recipe is totally doable—even if you’ve never made lemonade from scratch before.
Second, it’s budget-friendly. You can use fresh, frozen, or even canned peaches depending on the season and your budget, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples.
It also stores beautifully. Make a batch the night before and chill it until guests arrive. The flavor deepens overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
Lastly, it’s infinitely customizable. Prefer it a little sweeter? Add honey or sugar to taste. Want to make it sparkle? Use sparkling water instead of still. Hosting adults? A splash of bourbon or vodka makes a fun twist.
With so many reasons to love it, you’ll find yourself making this peach lemonade on repeat all summer long.
Ingredients Notes
What makes this lemonade so special is the quality of the ingredients—and luckily, they’re all easy to find and work beautifully together.
Fresh peaches are the star of this show. I like using ripe yellow peaches for their natural sweetness and vibrant color. If peaches are out of season, frozen slices work great too—just thaw them first for the best results. You can even use canned peaches in juice, though fresh will always yield the brightest flavor.
Lemons bring the perfect acidic balance to all that peachy sweetness. I highly recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice—about 5 to 6 medium lemons should give you the cup you need. Bottled juice can be used in a pinch but won’t deliver quite the same zing.
Sugar ties it all together. White granulated sugar dissolves easily into the syrup and highlights the fruity notes without overpowering them. You can adjust the amount to suit your sweetness preference—or swap in honey or maple syrup for a more natural alternative.
Water is more than just filler—it’s the vehicle that carries the flavors. I use a mix of water and ice when serving to keep everything cool and hydrating. For a sparkling version, swap some of the still water with club soda.
If you like, add a few mint leaves or thinly sliced lemons and peaches for garnish. Not only do they look pretty, but they also add a pop of fresh aroma as you sip.
No special equipment is required—just a saucepan, a blender (or potato masher), a fine-mesh sieve, and a large pitcher. That’s all you need to create your own fresh fruit lemonade bar at home.
How To Make This Peach Lemonade
Making homemade Peach Lemonade is simpler than it sounds and so worth the little bit of stovetop time it takes.
Start by slicing your peaches and adding them to a saucepan with a cup of water and your sugar. Bring it all to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to help the sugar dissolve and the peaches soften. This should take about 10 minutes—the aroma is unreal!
Once the peaches are tender and the syrup slightly thickened, remove the pan from heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Then either blend the mixture until smooth or use a potato masher to gently crush the peaches for a more rustic version. Strain the peach syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or directly into your pitcher, pressing gently to extract all that peachy goodness.
Next, pour in your freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir to combine. Taste it—you can always add more sugar or lemon juice at this point to tweak the balance to your liking.
Finally, add the remaining cold water (about 4–5 cups, depending on how concentrated you like your lemonade). Stir everything together and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, preferably more if you have time.
To serve, fill glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with fresh peach slices or mint. It’s a drink that looks as good as it tastes.
Total time? Just about 20 minutes of active prep, and an hour of chilling. Easy, breezy, and absolutely delicious.
Storage Options
Homemade Peach Lemonade keeps well, making it a perfect make-ahead drink for parties and picnics.
Store any leftover lemonade in a covered pitcher or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as natural separation may occur.
If you want to save the peach syrup separately, it can be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 1 week and used as needed. This is a great way to prep ahead and make individual drinks on demand.
For freezing, pour the lemonade into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before serving. The peach flavor intensifies beautifully after freezing!
To reheat (if using the syrup for warm cocktails or desserts), gently warm the peach syrup on the stove or microwave, but never boil it once lemon has been added—that can make it bitter.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can tailor it to your taste—or what you happen to have on hand.
Want a lower-sugar version? Swap in honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup. Start with ¼ cup and increase to taste. You can also reduce the sugar completely and add stevia or monk fruit for a sugar-free option.
Make it sparkling by replacing half the water with club soda or sparkling mineral water just before serving. It gives the drink a festive fizz that’s perfect for special occasions.
Turn it into an adult cocktail by adding a shot of vodka, white rum, or bourbon to each glass. Just stir well and garnish with lemon peel or fresh herbs for a fancy finish.
Add a fruity twist with other stone fruits like nectarines or plums, or even a handful of strawberries for peach-strawberry lemonade. Blend and strain the same way—your guests will love it.
PrintHow To Make Peach Lemonade Recipe
Make the most of summer with this homemade peach lemonade recipe! Bursting with sweet peaches and zesty lemon juice, this refreshing drink is easy to make, naturally sweetened, and perfect for warm days, BBQs, or brunches. Serve it over ice for a delightful citrus treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 6 servings (1 cup each) 1x
- Category: Beverages / Drinks
- Method: Boiling, Blending, Stirring
- Cuisine: American, Summer-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
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3 large ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
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¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
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1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
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5 cups cold water, divided
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Ice cubes (for serving)
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Lemon and peach slices (for garnish, optional)
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Mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
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Make Peach Syrup: In a saucepan, combine peach slices, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until peaches are soft and syrupy.
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Blend: Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Blend until smooth using a blender or immersion blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a smoother drink (optional).
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Combine: In a large pitcher, stir together the peach puree, lemon juice, and remaining 4 cups of cold water.
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Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.
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Serve: Serve over ice with optional peach/lemon slices and mint for garnish.
Notes
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Use honey or maple syrup as a natural sweetener alternative.
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For sparkling peach lemonade, replace 2 cups of water with club soda.
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Adjust sweetness based on the ripeness of the peaches.
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This can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx.)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 5mg
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