Fresh peach lemonade

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh peaches, diced (about 6 peaches)
• Zest of 3 lemons
• 1½ cups sugar
• 6 cups cold water or sparkling water, divided
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (juice of about 7 lemons)
• Garnish (peach slices, lemon slices, mint)

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add diced peaches, lemon zest, sugar and 2 cups of water.
2. Stir to dissolve sugar and let mixture simmer. (do not boil, reduce heat if needed)
3. When peaches are very soft, mash them with a potato masher or fork to break them up.
4. Let mixture simmer until it thickens slightly.
5. Remove from heat and let cool.
6. Strain the peach syrup mixture into a bowl and discard the solids.
7. Add the lemon juice to the peach mixture.
8. Pour into a pitcher along with 4 cups of water or sparkling water.
9. Refrigerate until cold if desired.
10. Fill glasses with ice.
11. Fill with peach lemonade.
12. Garnish with fresh peach slices, fresh lemon slices and mint.
13. Serve immediately