Oh my goodness, have I got a drink that will transport you straight to vacation mode! This Beach Peach Lemonade is my absolute summer OBSESSION – sweet, juicy peaches blended with tangy lemonade and a hint of coconut that’ll make you feel like you’re lounging on a tropical beach with your toes in the sand. I first created this recipe for a backyard gathering last summer, and it was such a hit that my friends still text me requesting the recipe whenever the weather warms up. The gorgeous peachy-pink color alone is enough to make you swoon, but that fresh, bright flavor? It’s like sunshine in a glass! Trust me, once you try this, regular lemonade will never quite satisfy you the same way again.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The perfect balance of sweet peaches and tangy lemon creates an irresistible flavor combination
- That beautiful peachy-pink color makes for a gorgeous presentation that’ll impress guests
- Easily customizable – make it as sweet or tart as you prefer
- Can be made ahead for entertaining and transformed into a cocktail for adult gatherings
Ingredients
- Fresh peaches – the star of the show, providing natural sweetness and that beautiful color
- Lemons – for that essential tangy brightness that makes lemonade so refreshing
- Coconut water – adds a subtle tropical taste that takes this lemonade to the next level
- Sugar – balances the tartness of the lemons (adjust to your taste preferences)
- Vanilla extract – a tiny splash enhances the peach flavor surprisingly well
- Fresh mint – adds a refreshing aromatic touch
- Ice – keeps everything perfectly chilled
- Sparkling water – for a delightful effervescence that makes this drink extra special
- Honey – a natural sweetener option for those who prefer it to sugar
- Coconut rum (optional) – transforms this into a delicious adult beverage
The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.
How to Make Beach Peach Lemonade
- Prepare the peaches by washing, pitting, and slicing them. Set aside a few thin slices for garnish if desired.
- Roll the lemons on the counter with firm pressure before cutting – this helps release more juice.
- Juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Remove any seeds.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and the sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves to create a simple syrup. Allow to cool.
- In a blender, combine the sliced peaches, cooled simple syrup, and a splash of vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the peach mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove any pulp (optional, but creates a smoother texture).
- Add the fresh lemon juice to the pitcher and stir to combine.
- Pour in the coconut water and stir gently.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill thoroughly and allow the flavors to meld.
- When ready to serve, add ice to the pitcher and stir in sparkling water for some delightful bubbles.
- Garnish with fresh peach slices, lemon rounds, and mint sprigs.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use perfectly ripe peaches for the best flavor – they should yield slightly to gentle pressure and smell sweet and fragrant.
- If fresh peaches aren’t available, thawed frozen peaches work surprisingly well.
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference – the recipe is flexible if you like it more tart or sweet.
- For an extra-smooth texture, strain the mixture twice to remove all pulp.
- Chill all ingredients before mixing for the most refreshing result.
How to Serve
Serve this gorgeous Beach Peach Lemonade in clear glasses to showcase its beautiful color – mason jars or tall glasses work perfectly. Fill glasses with ice first, then pour the lemonade over. Garnish each glass with a fresh peach slice, a lemon round, and a sprig of mint for that picture-perfect presentation. For special occasions, rim glasses with sugar and add decorative paper straws in coordinating colors. This lemonade pairs beautifully with light summer foods like grilled chicken, salads, and seafood. It’s perfect for baby showers, bridal showers, or any outdoor gathering where you want to impress your guests with something special!
Make Ahead and Storage
- The base mixture (without sparkling water) can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Add the sparkling water just before serving to maintain the effervescence.
- For a party, prepare a double batch of the base and keep it chilled, then mix with sparkling water as needed throughout the event.
- Leftover lemonade (without sparkling water) can be frozen in ice cube trays and used later to flavor water or add to smoothies.
- If you have leftover lemonade with sparkling water already added, it will lose some fizz but will still taste delicious for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
FAQs
Can I make this into an alcoholic version for adults?
Absolutely! This Beach Peach Lemonade transforms beautifully into a cocktail. My favorite way is to add 1.5 ounces of coconut rum per serving for a tropical twist that complements the coconut water perfectly. Vodka also works wonderfully, especially vanilla or peach-flavored varieties. For a wine-based option, add a splash of prosecco instead of sparkling water for a peachy spritzer that’s perfect for brunch gatherings. If you’re serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions at a party, I suggest making the base recipe, then allowing guests to add their preferred spirit to individual glasses. Just be sure to clearly label which pitcher contains alcohol if you pre-mix for a crowd!
Fresh peaches aren’t in season. What can I use instead?
Don’t worry if you’re craving this lemonade when peaches aren’t at their peak! You have several options that still deliver that delicious peachy flavor. Frozen peaches work surprisingly well – just thaw them completely before blending. Another good option is peach nectar, which you can find in the international foods section of most grocery stores – use about 1 cup in place of fresh peaches. If you want to try a variation, nectarines make an excellent substitute and have a similar flavor profile. In a pinch, you could even use 2-3 tablespoons of peach preserves, though the color won’t be quite as vibrant. Whatever substitution you choose, you may need to adjust the sweetness slightly since these alternatives might be sweeter or less sweet than fresh, ripe peaches.
My lemonade separated after being in the refrigerator. Is that normal?
Yes, separation is completely normal and happens because the fruit particles naturally settle over time. It doesn’t mean your lemonade has gone bad! Simply give it a good stir before serving to reincorporate everything. If you prefer a lemonade that doesn’t separate as much, you can take an extra step when preparing: after blending the peaches, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the pulp. This creates a smoother texture that’s less likely to separate dramatically. Another tip is to give the pitcher a gentle stir every few hours if you’re making it well in advance. No matter what, the flavor will still be delicious even if it does separate a bit – that’s the beauty of homemade beverages made with real fruit!
How can I make this recipe less sweet without losing flavor?
I completely understand wanting to control the sweetness level! There are several ways to adjust this recipe while maintaining that beautiful peach flavor. First, you can simply reduce the sugar in the simple syrup by up to half, especially if your peaches are particularly sweet. Another option is to replace the sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or agave nectar, which some people find doesn’t taste quite as sweet as refined sugar. You could also try using a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit if you’re watching your sugar intake, though you might need to experiment with amounts. Adding more lemon juice will increase the tartness to balance the sweetness. Finally, using unflavored sparkling water rather than lemon-lime soda gives you more control over the final sweetness level. Feel free to start with less sweetener than called for – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
Beach Peach Lemonade
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Pitcher
- Saucepan
- Citrus Juicer
Ingredients
Lemonade Base
- 4 fresh peaches pitted and sliced
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice from about 4–6 lemons
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 cup sugar adjust to taste or substitute with honey
- 1 cup water for simple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup sparkling water add before serving
- 2 cups ice for serving
Optional Garnishes
- fresh mint sprigs
- peach slices
- lemon wheels
Optional Cocktail Add-in
- 1.5 oz coconut rum per serving, optional
Instructions
- Prepare peaches by washing, pitting, and slicing. Set aside a few slices for garnish.
- Juice lemons and strain to get about 1 cup of juice. Remove seeds.
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves. Cool completely to make simple syrup.
- In a blender, combine sliced peaches, cooled simple syrup, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
- Pour peach mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove pulp (optional).
- Add lemon juice and coconut water to the pitcher. Stir to combine. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, add ice and pour in sparkling water. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with fresh peach slices, lemon rounds, and mint. Serve cold over ice.
- To serve as a cocktail, add 1.5 oz coconut rum per glass and stir.