Southern Peach Smash

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It's officially summer! Even though it has felt like summer for weeks in the south now, I think everyone is starting to feel the warmth, delight and FUN of the summer season.

If you know me personally, you know I love my cocktails. But I will admit I am pretty boring when it comes to cocktails. I order the same few classing drinks based on my mood and I don't venture out too much, mostly because I'm afraid I won't like it (too sweet, too tart, too strong, too weak, etc.) Even with that though, I am always looking for a new cocktail to shake things up, especially seasonal cocktails.

A few weeks ago, I got my first bag of peaches for the season from The Peach Truck (If you don't know The Peach Truck, check them out!) I had lots of plans for my peaches, but I still had some extras I needed to use before they turned too much. So what better solution than to make up a cocktail.

Enter, the Southern Peach Smash!

It's light, refreshing and oh so seasonal. It is the perfect porch-sittin' drink and I'm officially obsessed. It's sneaky though, so pace yourself!

Southern Peach Smash
(Makes 1 cocktail)
Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 basil leaves, torn into a few pieces

• 1/2 oz. freshly squeeze lemon juice

• 1/2 of a fresh peach, cut into a few slices

• Squeeze of simple syrup (~1/8-1/4 oz.)

• 2 oz. gin

• Soda water

Directions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle together everything except the gin and soda water until the peaches are mostly pulverized and the basil is fragrant.

2. To the shaker, add the gin and 2 handfuls of ice (depending on the size of your shaker). With the shaker top securely on, shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

3. Strain the cocktail into a collins glass filled with ice (or any kind of glass you have is fine!)

4. Top with a little soda water and garnish with a peach slice and basil leave if you're feeling fancy.

5. Find a porch and enjoy!

*Recipe notes + Variations*

Thawed frozen peaches would work if you don't have fresh. Maybe try other fresh fruit instead like raspberries or strawberries!

Mix it up with flavored soda water like Bubly or LaCroix.

Want to make these for a crowd? Multiply the ingredients for however many servings you want and mash everything (except gin, ice and soda) together in a pitcher and refrigerate if you're doing it ahead of time. Pour the mixture into a cocktail shaker and add gin and ice when you're ready to make your cocktails.