Homemade lemonade is a world away from store bought fizzy pop. Lucy Burton adds peach and rose for a delicious and tempting virgin fizz
Few things signal the dizzy, balmy height of British summer better than rosy ripe peaches. June brings with it an abundance of seasonal produce, as stoned fruits and summer berries begin to ripen. The gardens, hedgerows and city parks never look more beautiful than they do at this time of year.
The sweet, soft flesh of peaches lends itself perfectly to pureeing, but the delicate flavour can make it a tricky one to celebrate when paired with other flavours. Fragrant rose, when used correctly, is a time-tested classic to use with peaches.
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Homemade lemonade is perfect to refresh hot and bothered souls on a summer’s afternoon. My version, which uses a thick peach and rose puree along with fresh lemon juice, makes this childhood classic a classy alcohol-free option for adults and children alike.
Ingredients
200g fresh peaches, stoned and chopped
100ml water
75g caster sugar
150ml fresh lemon juice
1 tsp rose water
Place the chopped peaches, water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or so, until the mixture has reduced and the peaches have broken down to a thick, jammy texture. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
Once cooled, puree the peaches in a food processor, then strain. Add the lemon juice and rose water to the puree, then pour into a clean sterilised jar or bottle.
To make lemonade, use one part puree, one part ice, and two parts sparkling water. Store the puree in the fridge, and consume within one month.
