Summer Peach Recipes at the Lake

Photo courtesy of Unsophisticook

You know it’s summertime when you bite into your first ripe peach and taste that unmistakable sweet nectar that only this fruit delivers. From peaches and homemade ice cream to spicy peach salsa paired with savory pork, these juicy jewels are always something to look forward to year after year. So while they’re bursting from the bins at the farmer’s market or fresh for the taking at a roadside fruit stand, grab them while you can and savor them at their peak in these delicious recipes we’ve gathered just for you. But first, whip up a batch of Frozen Peach Bellinis to celebrate in style—sip and enjoy.

Sweet & Savory

Photo courtesy of Lively Table

For a sweet start to your lakeside happy hour, serve up this delicious appetizer featuring the long-awaited summer peach. This Peach Bruschetta with Prosciutto and Burrata offers the perfect blend of sweet and salty with crunchy and creamy. Just brush your favorite bread with olive and toast in the oven. When it’s golden brown, simply spread bread slices with burrata and top with a slice of prosciutto, some fresh peach slices, sea salt, and honey. Garnish with baby arugula or fresh basil, and pair with a crisp pinot grigio, chardonnay, or rosé. For the recipe and some creative variations, visit Lively Table.

Savory & Succulent

Photo courtesy of John Kernick via Food & Wine

The very thought of pairing peaches with onions might have less adventurous palates making a run for it. But not if you use sweet and juicy Vidalia onions—that’s the trick. This innovative recipe—Grilled Peach, Onion, and Bacon Salad with Buttermilk Dressing—combines the bold flavor of bacon caramelized with brown sugar and cayenne pepper with grilled sweet onions and peaches brushed with olive oil. Toss this aromatic concoction with a creamy buttermilk dressing seasoned with mint and chives, and you get a summer salad sensation like no other. It’s delicious and surprisingly filling. For the recipe, visit Food & Wine.

Jewels of July

Photo courtesy of Christopher Testani via Epicurious

For a hearty starter or an eye-catching meal unto itself, try this refreshing Tomato-Peach Salad with Tofu Cream made with all the colorful fruits of summer. Mix a vibrant toss of fresh peaches, heirloom tomato wedges, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and fresh corn kernels, and plate over an innovative and incredibly creamy tofu—yes, tofu—dressing. Made with olive oil, soy sauce, Sherry vinegar, salt, and pepper, it delivers a wonderful umami flavor that no one will ever suspect is tofu. Top with chopped chervil, plus the sprigs, and serve with thick grilled or toasted country-style bread. For this quick and easy recipe, visit Epicurious.

Sweet Heat

Photo courtesy of Alison Miksch via Southern Living

An all-time fav, tacos are the perfect summer fare for any lakeside get-together. Put a fresh and fruity spin on this iconic dish with these Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa. There’s nothing more delectable than a savory and tender slow-cooked meat—beef brisket or pork—topped with a colorful, crunchy salsa made with fresh peaches, jalapenos, cucumbers, garlic, cilantro, salt, and lime. Your tortillas never had it so good, and you can’t beat the unexpected, spicy punch of sweet peaches with adobo chile. Visit Southern Living for their creative take on a classic. Enjoy!

Peaches with a Punch

Photo courtesy of Joel Goldberg via Delish

Margaritas, anyone? Yes, please. There’s nothing better on a hot summer day at the lake than imbibing in a frosty and fruity homemade margarita. These thirst-quenching Peach Margaritas take a classic cocktail to the next level with a power punch of peach schnapps and peach puree. The dynamic duo brings an intense peach flavor that satisfyingly tempers the tequila without overpowering it. Visit Delish for this quick and breezy 5-minute recipe.

Burger Bliss

Photo courtesy of Hector Sanchez via Southern Living

Grilled burgers are an iconic summer fav—especially at the lake. So, when fresh peaches make their seasonal debut, why not amp up your grilling game with these savory Bacon, Peach, and Basil burgers. This recipe calls for lean ground sirloin, which will help prevent charring flare-ups while you’re grilling. Pickled jalapenos, tangy peach chutney, and fresh peach slices bring a juicy kick, while savory bacon and creamy goat cheese help temper the heat. Top with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic just-picked-from-the-garden flavor burst. For instructions on how to create this creative dish, visit My Recipes.

Summer in a Glass

Photo courtesy of Minimalist Baker

The best thirst-quencher on a hot summer day? This Perfect Peach Iced Tea is made with an intensely flavored peach simple syrup that tastes like liquid candy. Southern-inspired, the recipe calls for loose-leaf black tea, organic cane sugar, and ripe peaches for an amazingly full-bodied iced drink that’s also simple to make. Check out Minimalist Baker for the recipe.

Cold Creamy Goodness

Photo courtesy of Ngoc Minh Ngo via Food & Wine

Who doesn’t love homemade ice cream on a hot summer day? If you have the patience and the time to make it, this one is worthy. A quintessential summer classic, this Peach-Maple Ice Cream is brought to you by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. Aside from fresh ripe peaches at their peak, its flavor secret lies in the addition of pure maple syrup, vanilla bean, and a kick of bourbon. Serve this delectable dessert alone or as a topping over pancakes, cobbler, shortcakes, or anything your heart desires. For the recipe, visit Food & Wine.

Pie Perfection

Photo courtesy of Hector Sanchez via Southern Living

This Peach Melba Ice-Cream Pie will undoubtedly become an instant hit after a summer dinner with its festive colors and knock-out fruit flavors. A crisp, press-in crust made with almond cookies and roasted almonds creates an irresistible sweet and salty combo that mingles perfectly with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet. Top with fresh peaches and raspberries for a cool treat that’s soon to become a summer classic. Visit My Recipes for the recipe.

Here’s to a delicious—and peachy—summer at the lake. Cheers!

Summer Sips and Spirits – Tasty Lake-Inspired Cocktails

Article co-written by LakeHomes.com intern Sam Harvey

Get your sweet summer sip on with these fun and fruity lake-inspired cocktails!

Summer Sangria with Watermelon and Pineapple

This simple, delicious summer sangria is crisp and refreshing, exactly what you need after a relaxing day of sunbathing by the lake. (Serves 4-6.)

Photo Courtesy of What the Fork Food Blog

Ingredients:

  • 1 bottle of Moscato (750 ml)
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 1 lime, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups fresh watermelon cubes, chilled
  • 2 cups fresh pineapple cubes, chilled
  • Lemon Lime soda, for serving

 Directions:

Prepare your sangria by first combining the wine and brandy in a large pitcher, and stir.

Next add the majority of the lime wheels, watermelon cubes, and fresh pineapple.

Place the remaining fruit pieces in the bottoms of your guests’ drinking glasses, and fill with ice.

Pour your finished sangria over ice, and top with lemon-lime soda for a little extra pop.

Serve!

Courtesy of: What the Fork

Mermaid Lemonade

Mermaids may be the stuff of tall tales, but this lovely, thirst-quenching lemonade definitely measures up to the myths. (Serves 4.)

Photo Courtesy of Ethan Calabrese

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup blue curacao
  • 1 cup white rum
  • Lemonade
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • Maraschino cherries, for garnish

 Directions:

For a fun drink that is as visually refreshing as it is delicious, first fill each of your glasses halfway with ice, then pour in a splash of blue curacao. 

Add 1/4 cup of rum, then top with more ice. 

Add lemonade, then garnish with a lemon slice and two cherries.

Courtesy of: delish.com

Grilled Peach Whiskey Smash

A southern-inspired indulgence, this fancy treat is sure to impress your guests this lake season.

Ingredients:

  • 1 small peach (or ½ of a large peach), pitted and quartered
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 2 fresh basil leaves (or 4 fresh mint leaves)
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 3 oz club soda, chilled

Directions:

For a warm, smoky flavor, place the peach and lemon slices on the grill and cook, covered, until golden brown, turning once. 

Combine the peaches and lemons, basil (or mint) and honey in a cocktail shaker. 

Muddle — crush and stir– the fruits and herbs to release their juices and aromas. 

Pour the bourbon and mixture over ice, cover and shake for 10 to 20 seconds. 

Strain your cocktail over a fresh glass of ice, and top with club soda before serving.  

Courtesy of: Better Homes & Gardens

Meyer Lemon Shandy

Pucker up for this summer classic combination. (Serves 4.)

Photo Courtesy of Lori Yates Photography

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 3 Meyer lemons, juiced
  • 4 12-oz bottles of wheat beer

Directions:

Begin by bringing the sugar and the ½-cup of water to boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until dissolved. 

Let the mixture cool, then transfer the sugar-water to a pitcher and place in the refrigerator to chill into a syrup.

Combine this chilled syrup with fresh lemon juice, and add 2 cups of water. 

Stir lemonade into one bottle of beer in a chilled pint glass. 

Courtesy of: Foxes Love Lemons

For more taste bud-approved sips and spirits, check out these “5 Delicious Cocktails to Enjoy All Summer Long.”

5 Delicious Cocktail Recipes to Enjoy All Summer Long

various cocktails

Imagine this: the a sun is setting, and the breeze is blowing. The kids are in the water having a blast, and you’re sitting lakeside, sipping a tasty homemade cocktail and soaking it all in. Does it get any better than that?

Enjoying life is what lake lovers do best, and these five unique cocktail recipes are sure to add some flair to any sunny day.

Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush

Pink lemonade is a warm-weather classic. Just add some vodka, and you’ve got yourself a party.

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon-size ice cream pail
  • 12 oz frozen pink lemonade concentrate (thawed)
  • 2 cups vodka
  • 2-liter bottle of citrus soda (Sprite, Squirt, etc.)

 Directions:

First, combine thawed pink lemonade concentrate, 2 cups of vodka and a 2-liter bottle of citrus soda in the ice cream pail.

Stir and freeze.

After it’s frozen, remove from the freezer an hour or two before you plan to serve it. Once it begins to thaw and melt, you can scrape the slush into a glass.

Now just top your drink with some extra soda, tonic or carbonated water, and sip away!

Courtesy of culinaryhill.com

Blueberry Mint Margarita

The sun’s beaming now, which means the fruits and berries should be in abundance in the produce section. Why not throw a few in your cocktail to make the ultimate sweet treat?

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup lime juice
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 2 Tbsps agave nectar
  • 1 Tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
  • 3 oz silver tequila
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • Sugar (for the rim)
  • 2 fresh mint sprigs
  • Splash of seltzer (optional)

Directions:

To begin, put lime juice, blueberries, agave and mint into a blender. Blend until smooth.

Then pour the blueberry mixture through a sieve (a wire or plastic frame used for straining solids from liquids) into a large glass. Press down on the solids to extract juice and then discard.

Next, run a slice of lime around the rim of two glasses. Then place sugar on a plate, and dip the moistened rims in the sugar to coat.

Fill those two glasses with ice.

In a large cocktail shaker, add your blueberry mixture, tequila and triple sec. Shake well.

After that, divide the drink evenly between the two glasses. Top with a splash of seltzer and garnish with mint.

Courtesy of virtuallyhomemade.com

Smashed Cherry Mule

Who doesn’t love a Moscow Mule? Since you’ll already be grabbing blueberries at the farmer’s market for that margarita, go ahead and snag some cherries while you’re at it! This bold drink is refreshing, colorful and full of flavor.

Materials:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 fresh cherries
  • Ginger beer
  • Lime

Directions:

First, cut 4 cherries in half and remove the pits.

Then, in the bottom of your cup, mash the four cherries with the juice from half a lime.

Next, add vodka, ice and then top with ginger beer.

Garnish the drink with a lime slice and a fresh cherry.

P.S.—you can eat the cherries at the bottom of the cup when you’re done!

Courtesy of abeautifulmess.com

Grapefruit Blood Orange Cocktail

It’s the color of sunset and tastes like heaven. Whipping up this delight will only take five minutes of your time, and it’s worth every second.

Materials:

  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • 3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 3 oz freshly squeezed blood orange juice
  • 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

Just pour all the ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake it well.

Then pour the mixture into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a blood orange wedge.

Courtesy of wearenotmartha.com

Raspberry Lemon Drop Martinis

Last but not least, the ever-popular lemon drop. They simply scream summertime, and this fruity, colorful spin not only makes this cocktail yummy, but pretty.

Materials:

  • ¼ cup fresh raspberries (plus extra for garnish)
  • 3-4 oz vodka
  • 4 Tbsps fresh lemon juice (plus lemon slices for garnish)
  • ¼ cup lemon lime soda
  • 4 Tbsps sugar

Directions:

First,  muddle your raspberries with sugar to create a raspberry puree. Press the mix through a sieve to remove seeds and release as much juice as possible.

After that, mix the raspberry puree, vodka, soda, lemon juice and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.

Garnish with lemon slice and raspberries.

Courtesy of realhousemoms.com

This lake season, stock your fridge with berries and tequila and give these tasty cocktail recipes a shot! They’re a delicious way to enjoy a summer day down by the water. Cheers!