[1] This weekend, how about a big pitcher of peach cooler? (Photo courtesy Sparkling Ice.)
[2] You can use any glass you like. Collins glasses are sturdier, but wine glasses are elegant (photo courtesy Carrabbas Italian Grill).
[3] A Peacharita, with a birds-eye chile garnish (photo courtesy Peninsula Hotel | New York).
|
|
As you enjoy summer’s juicy fresh peaches—and peach cobbler, peach ice cream, peach pie, peach salsa and other peachy things to eat—don’t forget peachy things to drink.
You can make a Peacharita—peach schnapps replacing the Cointreau in a Margarita (photo #3). Here’s the recipe.
But don’t overlook peach sangria and peach coolers. Recipes follow.
RECIPE #1: PEACH SANGRIA WITH SCHNAPPS (Photo #2)
Ingredients For 6-8 Servings
2 large fresh yellow peaches (about 1 pound), sliced
Other fruits of choice, e.g. orange slices, strawberries
3/4 cup peach liqueur or peach schnapps (the difference)
1 bottle white wine
1 liter club soda, flavored club soda or ginger ale, chilled
Preparation
1. PLACE the peaches and other fruit in a pitcher, and add liqueur and wine. Stir. When ready to serve…
2. POUR the sangria into glasses; make sure each glass has a nice amount of fruit. Top off with the carbonated beverage; stir gently as desired.
RECIPE #2: PEACH SANGRIA WITH PEACH VODKA
Prep time is 10 minutes, chilling time is 2+ hours. Adapted from All Recipes.
Ingredients
1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine
3/4 cup peach flavored vodka
6 tablespoons frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup white sugar
1 pound white peaches, pitted and sliced
3/4 cup seedless red grapes, halved
3/4 cup seedless green grapes, halved
Ice cubes
Preparation
1. COMBINE the first four ingredients in a large pitcher. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the fruit.
2. REFRIGERATE at least 2 hours or overnight, to allow the flavors to blend.
3. SERVE over ice, and use a slotted spoon to include peaches and grapes with each serving.
SANGRIA TIPS
You are the master of your sangria.
If you want more pronounced flavor, add more of that ingredient.
If you want a less sweet drink, use unsweetened plain or flavored club soda next time.
Use prosecco for the wine. Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, is known for its peach flavors. You can substitute it for the still wine; or for the club soda, for a stronger drink.
Adjust the sweetness. If you add an ingredient with sugar, adjust the other sugar items so it won’t be too sweet. You can always add more sweetness, but you can’t take it away (without doubling the proportions, that is).
|
|
Ginger ale vs. club soda: Both will lose their carbonation in the pitcher, but ginger ale will leave the ginger flavor.
Substitute rosé for the white wine; use peach nectar instead of other ingredients like lemonade and soda, etc.
For a more sparkling sangria, fill each glass half full with sangria and top off with ginger ale or club soda.
Keep it peachy. This recipe from Bobby Flay has 1 bottle of wine, 3 ounces brandy, 2 ounces triple sec, 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 ounces simple syrup —but only 3 ounces of peach purée. It’s a delicious sangria, but not a particularly peachy one.
Use an optional herb garnish for color and the tiniest bit of flavor: basil, tarragon, thyme or rosemary.
The history of sangria.
RECIPE #3: PEACH WINE COOLER (Photo #1)
Thanks to Sparkling Ice—makers of zero-calorie sparkling water in 13 flavors—for this recipe.
Ingredients
1 peach, sliced
½ orange, sliced
¾ cup peach brandy
1 bottle white wine, chilled
4 cups Sparkling Ice Essence of Peach (calorie-free; substitute peach club soda or plain club soda with peach extract)
Preparation
1. PLACE the peaches, oranges and brandy in a pitcher, and lightly muddle. Add the wine and the Peach Sparkling Ice and stir.
2. SERVE over ice and garnish with a peach slice.
|
