Last year, a good friend of mine and fellow blogger recommended that I try making his peach brandy. I had never made my own alcohol before so I thought why not, this would be the perfect time to start. So, six months ago I set about making peach brandy. I carefully peeled the peaches, stacked them in a jar, and poured in an inordinate amount of sugar. Next, I waited, and waited, and waited—It takes six months for the peaches and sugar to combine into a wonderful concoction of peach brandy. When the beginning of March hit, it was time to taste the fruits of my labor (pun intended). So based on the instructions, I strained the peaches in cheesecloth (twice) and poured the brandy into an air tight jar. I immediately wanted to taste it, but I have to be honest, I was a little nervous—what if I had done it wrong and it was dreadful? So I put a very small amount in a shot glass and took a sip…
Success! It was delicious. It is very sweet, but also a little syrupy. Instantly ideas started running though my head on what to do with the brandy (besides the obviously—drinking it straight). Some recipes and ideas were obvious—like putting it over ice cream with fresh peaches, but some surprised me. I have included a few of the recipes below of what I have done with the brandy. Note for all the recipes below: Do not use a large pint glass—the peach brandy, because it is thick, sinks to the bottom which does not allow you to enjoy the full flavors. I used a thin, tall glass similar to those that Pom tea is sold in. Also I mixed the drinks by pouring them into a pint glass and back into the Pom tea glass to ensure they were properly mixed.
Mint Peach Brandy Tonic
1. Put four to five mint leaves in a glass and muddle them to release the oils
2. Fill the glass with ice
3. Add 2.5 ounces of homemade peach brandy
4. Next add tonic water (I prefer Q Tonic because it has a cleaner taste)
5. Stir vigorously to combing the drink
6. Enjoy!
Coconut Peach Brandy Cooler
1. Fill a tall glass with ice
2. Next add 1 ounce of coconut vodka (I used Smirnoff)
3. Add 1.5 ounces of homemade peach brandy
4. Stir vigorously to combine the drink
5. Enjoy!
Lime and Peach Brandy Soda
1. Fill glass with ice
2. Next add 2.5 ounces of peach brandy
3. Add juice of one lime (anywhere between 0.5 ounces and 1 ounce of lime juice)
4. Fill the glass with soda water
5. Stir vigorously to combine the drink
5. Enjoy!
I hope you enjoy these drink recipes. I think they are fun summer drinks that are great to enjoy in the warm weather out on a porch or balcony. It must be said, however, that the brandy is delicious on its own as well—a perfect after dinner or dessert drink. Next up is pear brandy, which will be ready the first week of July, so look this summer for some fun drink ideas!
The recipe for the peach brandy can be found on my friend’s blog at: http://thehipflask.wordpress.com/peach-brandy-pictorial/
hungrylikeawolfe 