4 of 7

Write now Article Tools

A summer cocktail desn't necessarily have to have alcohol in it.Summer Cocktails can be most anything and when all the fruit and berries come in in the summertime there are so many good drinks that can be made with or without alcohol. One of my favorites is a peach cooler. I have had this delicious concoction straight and I have had with different types of alcohols. Personally I really prefer it without alcohol but it is darned good with either gin, rum, vodka, or even tequila. It is good on the rocks or it is even better frozen and slushy. I have a neighbor that has a peach tree with some of the biggest and the best peaches I have ever had on it and I have a good Navy buddy that is a native Hawaiian and lives over there and he sends me fresh pineapple all the time because his family owns a pineapple ranch. SO... with access to two of the ingredients fresh off the tree or bush, this is one of my favorite drinks. We enjoy it quite often with my Masonic Brother and his wife who live across the street.

PEACH COOLER

2 cups peeled very ripe fresh peaches, pureed 2 cups ice 2/3 cup fresh pineapple juice (I like a little fruit in my juice) 1 cup limeade concentrate, undiluted 3 cups club soda or a lemon-lime soda like 7-up or Sprite 1 cup of liquor of choice if wanted Fresh mint sprigs to garnish

In a blender at high speed, blend together peaches, pineapple juice, and limeade concentrate until smooth, then stir in the club soda and liquor if desired. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs

If you like it like a frozen drink add a little more ice to make it slushy.

This is a really good drink to enjoy on a hot afternoon out on the deck or on a covered patio like the one I have on the back of my house. Have some friends over and watch the sun setting over the beautiful Rocky Mountains while the burgers are cooking on the grill. Like I said I like it really well with out alcohol but some people just seem to think it isn't worth drinking if it doesn't have some kind of booze in it.

Frozen or canned peaches will work but as you can imagine, they are much, much better with peaches picked fresh right off the tree. My buddy seems to know just when to ship those pineapples when they will arrive at there peak of juiciness and flavor.

If you do not like peaches you can use most any kind of fruit to make a good cooler type drink. Pears and apricots work good as do mangoesor most any kind of berries. I even use rhubarb a lot when my plant is in peak production. Also you can combine two or three different fruits to make it taste like you want.

Learn more about this author, Bill Whitney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Drink recipes: Summer Cocktails?
We want to hear your view. Write now!