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Peach Melba Cooler Recipe

Peach Melba Cooler
Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: | Makes: 2 quarts

Auguste Escoffier gets credit for pairing two of summer’s most delicious fruits, peaches and raspberries, to create the classic peach Melba dessert. Here, the flavors are transformed into a light, fizzy drink that would be perfect sipped in the backyard while watering the lawn.

What to buy: Lemon thyme is similar in appearance to regular English thyme but has the fragrance and flavor of lemon. You can find it with the fresh herbs in the produce section of your local grocery store.

Game plan: This recipe can be made through step 2 up to 3 days in advance.

This mocktail was featured as part of our Nonalcoholic Cocktails recipe slideshow.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 medium, ripe peach (about 6 ounces)
  • 1/2 pint fresh raspberries (about 6 ounces)
  • 1 bunch fresh lemon thyme (about 30 sprigs), rinsed and woody ends trimmed
  • 1 liter cold club soda
  • Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Bring the sugar and water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer the syrup to a small container with a tightfitting lid.
  2. Halve, pit, and cut the peach into 1/8-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.
  3. 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 rest of the raspberries and thyme aside to use as garnishes.) Using a potato masher, briefly smash the raspberries until they release their juices.
  4. 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 spoon until combined.
  5. Gently bruise the remaining half of the thyme by crushing it in your hands (but don’t completely mangle it) and set it aside. Pour the Peach Melba Cooler into ice-filled collins glasses and garnish each drink with a sprig of the thyme and a few fresh raspberries.
    Write a review | 3 Reviews
  • Peach Melba Cooler Recipe
    3

    Found lemon thyme at Whole Foods...you won't find it at any Safeway! The drink was subtle, meaning it either needed something to enhance the flavor profile or my palate needs to be less accustomed to pungent dishes. I will admit that I love spicy foods so may have lost my delicate appreciation. All-in-all, I found this drink to be wanting of flavor and a little sweet. Maybe some lemon juice to take the sweetness away a bit. A little simple syrup goes a long way. ORRR...a little chilled vodka..

  • This was super! I couldn't find lemon-thyme, but it still was delightful without it. Oh, and rather than throwing away the strained peaches, they are still very delicious, either by themselves or as a topping to something like pancakes.

  • have you guys heard of the jared dalby? equal parts lemonade and limeade with crushed raspberries

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