Summer Drinks

I realized recently that all of my posts have been food related. That despite my love of cocktails, there wasn't a drink in sight. So this week, when I went to the farmers market, I thought I'd pick up a couple of ingredients to make a refreshing summer quencher. This drink can be make with our without alcohol.

Today I purchased:

At the farmers market:
1 ripe peach
Pint of raspberries
Lemon thyme

At a supermarket:
Club soda

Supplementary ingredients I had at home:
Ice
Water
Sugar
Vodka (optional)

Recipe: Peach Melba Cooler

Ingredients
1 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of water
1 medium, ripe peach
6 oz. of raspberries
1 bunch of lemon thyme
1 liter of club soda
Ice
1 shot of vodka per glass

I got this recipe from a magazine, and decided to take some liberties with the addition of the vodka.

Bring the sugar and water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved, about 3-5 minutes.



Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer the syrup to a small container with a tight fitting lid.

Halve, pit, and cut the peach into 1/8th inch thick slices. Add the peach slices to the syrup and stir to combine. Seal the container and refrigerate until the peach flavor infuses the syrup, at least 4 hours or up to 3 days. I did it for 24 hours, which I thought was adequate.



When ready to serve, pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer set over a medium bowl, discard the peach slices. Add half of the raspberries and half of the thyme sprigs to the bowl. (Set the other half aside for garnish). Using a potato masher, briefly smash the raspberries until they release their juices.




Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large pitcher and pour in the raspberry mixture. Lightly press on the solids with a rubber spatula, then discard the contents of the strainer. Add the club soda and some ice to the pitcher and stir gently with a long wooden spoon.



Gently bruise the remaining half of the thyme by crushing it in your hands (but don't completely mangle it) and set it aside. Fill a collins glass (or any type of medium/short glass)with ice. Add the vodka, then pour the Peach Melba mixture on top. Stir to combine and garnish with a few berries and a few sprigs of thyme.



Although definitely refreshing, I found this drink to be a little too sweet for me. Though I have to admit that I like things a little on the tarter side. If I were to make these again, I'd probably cut the sugar mixture in half (1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water). I might also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to enhance the flavor of the lemon thyme.