Making Basic Peach Nectar
Wash and score the peaches. Give your peaches a thorough rinse in water. Pick away any stems and leaves, if you have any attached. Score the bottom of each peach by making a small, shallow "X" with a knife.
Blanch the peaches. Plunge the peaches into boiling water. As you see the peels start to come off (about 30 seconds), move each peach with a slotted spoon to an ice bath (a bowl with water and ice).
Skin and slice the peaches. Pull the skins off with your fingers. The skins should come off easily. Slice the peaches in half and pull out the stones. Throw away the stones, and slice the peaches.
Boil the sliced peaches and water together. Add 4 cups (950 millilitres) of sliced peaches and 4 cups (950 millilitres) of water to a pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it's boiling, set a timer for 5 minutes. Some recipes call for less water, so you can adjust to your tastes.
Remove the mixture from the heat. Once the 5 minutes is up, take the pan off the stove, and turn the burner off. Set the pan aside to cool while you mix the other ingredients.
Mix the lemon and sugar together in a separate bowl. In a large bowl, mix 0.5 cups (120 millilitres) sugar and 1 tablespoon (15 millilitres) lemon juice. Stir it until the sugar dissolves into the lemon. You can also add a dash or two of nutmeg if you'd like.
Puree the peaches in a blender. After the peach-water mixture has cooled, puree the mixture in a blender until smooth. You may have to do several batches. After each batch is blended, add it to the lemon-sugar mixture.
Mix the peach puree and the lemon-sugar mixture together. Once you've blended all the peaches, add the last batch to the lemon-sugar mixture. Mix it together well until you have a homogeneous mixture. You can then serve it up over ice or use it in a recipe.
Using and Saving Peach Nectar
Refrigerate the peach nectar for a day or two. If you plan to use your nectar quickly, you can keep it in the refrigerator. However, like most fresh juices, you should use it within a couple of days.
Pour into freezer-safe jars. Another option for preserving peach nectar is to put it away in the freezer. As you pour it into the jars, make sure to leave a little room at the top for the nectar to expand, so you don't break your jars. Set them in your freezer for safe keeping; the nectar should stay good for about a year.
Add a dash to your tea or club soda. Peach nectar is a great flavor for many drinks. It can brighten up iced tea. Just add a splash with a slice of peach and squeeze of lemon. You can also serve peach nectar over ice with club soda for an easy, refreshing drink. It's also a good addition to cocktails.
Add it to recipes to add sweetness. Peach nectar makes a surprisingly delicious addition to recipes. For instance, you can add it to a glaze when making ham for a punch of flavor. Alternatively, try adding some to the slow cooker when making pulled pork. It gives it a lovely sweetness.
Creating Peach Coolers with Ginger
Wash and slice two peaches. Rinse two peaches thoroughly under water. When they're clean, cut them in half and remove the pit. Cut the peach into thin slices, and place the slices in a pitcher.
Wash and mince the ginger. Cut a small piece of ginger off the root (about an inch long). Wash it off, and then slice off the peel. Mince the ginger finely. You should have about 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of ginger to add to the pitcher.
Add the ginger ale and peach nectar to the pitcher. Pour 3 cups (710 millilitres) of ginger ale into the pitcher. Add 0.5 cups (120 millilitres) of peach nectar to the pitcher. Blend the ingredients well, and serve over ice. Refrigerate any leftovers and discard in a day or so.
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