Summer isn’t over until we decide it’s over! While talk of pumpkin is in the air, we’ve been having temps in the mid eighties and enjoying our weather for the first time in months after the hottest summer on record. Friends in California and Florida are sweltering under late summer sun and I thought it perfectly acceptable to offer this cocktail; especially since here in Denver, Colorado peaches are overflowing the market and are as good as they get. Join me won’t you as I insist on extending summer and stave off the advent of fall just a bit longer. Please. Pretty please?
I thought it perfect to use the succulent, late-summer peaches I had in my fruit bowl to create a cocktail based on the popular Bellini which is peach purée mixed with the Italian sparkling wine Prosecco. ‘Just Peachy’ takes that peach flavor a step further. Natural peach flavor is infused into a sparkling wine which is great all on it’s own (of course we gave it a through testing!) but I thought it would be the perfect thing to use for a Bellini. Peaches, a bit of sugar and lime juice are blended to make the purée and added to the sparkling wine. Adding a fresh peach slice to the rim of each glass before serving was perfect; peaches are at their peak right now, this cocktail was just amazing and that slice that was soaked in the Bellini was pure Heaven.
These would be perfect served at a late morning brunch but I have to say, I had no problem sipping one at night. I only wish you all could have been here. I will often contact a neighbor when I know I’ll have something on hand that ‘needs’ to be consumed after I make it for the blog. I had several offers from friends on Twitter to come over and help me and only wish that Twitter Twavel was operational; I would have hosted them all. Until then, my girlfriend Karen from down the street was happy to oblige and we sat outside and enjoyed the last vestiges of this season while sipping our Bellinis…you know this is hard work, this blogging stuff, right?
A great addition to a late morning breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped, seeded and peeled peaches (about 3 peaches)
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime (or lemon) juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 bottle sparkling wine, chilled (I put mine in the freezer for 40 min)
Preparation
- Combine peaches, juice and sugar in a blender; process until smooth. Pour sparkling wine into a pitcher. Stir in peach mixture to combine.
- Pour into champagne flutes and garnish with peach slices.
Notes
Easiest way to peel a peach? Score the bottom gently in a cross pattern. Slide peaches into a pot of boiling water and leave in for 1 minute. Drain and cool and the skin will easily slide right off.
Did you enter to win a giveaway from our #FridayCocktail anniversary party? Go there…some GREAT prizes!
I was provided a sample of the ‘Just Peachy’ sparking wine product to review but all commentary is my own.
It is available at Winn Dixie, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods Market (for the holidays), Binny’s Beverage, Hy-vee and Stop & Shop
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful photos. Love a good Bellini. I have made mine in the past with peach puree before, but this sounds so lovely and fresh.
Thank you Stephanie. I’ve always loved them too; any excuse to have a cocktail in the AM! :)
Do you deliver? I could use a giant batch right about now!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist Most Recent Post: Crock Pot Chicken Wings
I’m not a peach gal, but this might actually tempt me to try it :)
That pitcher – LOVE!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos Most Recent Post: Recipe Redo: Balsamic BBQ Chicken
When I was getting ready for a family party in Michigan the other day, I was distracted by your email……I love love Bellinis!!!! I agree, we can decide when summer is over….and welllllllll….I am ready LOL! Fall is my favorite time of the year:-) That being said, I think we could enjoy this delicious drink all year long! Hugs, Terra
Well, fall is OK but it leads to winter which I could do without! I’m going to drink this year round and pretend, how’s that?
I sure don’t live down the street but I WILL travel for those! Brilliant as usual, Barb!
Ansh Most Recent Post: Baked Acorn Squash with Salmon Mousse
All I can say is I wish you were closer.
The Bellini is such a nice drink! Nice presentation – it looks lovely in the photos. Good stuff – thanks.
kitchenriffs Most Recent Post: Spicy Potatoes with Ginger and Garlic
This looks amazing and I am going to add this to my Mouth Watering Mondays post this Monday. Come on over to see it at http://www.noshingwiththenolands.com Cheers, Tara
It’s up and I am back over to drool over these!!
Tara Noland Most Recent Post: Comment on Spicy Fudgy Mott’s Chocolate Cake/Entertaining Tip with Mott’s Clamato by Edith Gray
Thank you Tara; appreciate your including me today!
I love saying the name of this. Peach Bellini, Peach Bellini. I think I’d be tempted to stick a straw down that glass and empty it pretty quickly.
Paula Most Recent Post: The Ultimate Canadian Cocktail – Friday Cocktail Party with Creative Culinary
We must have told ourselves 3 or 4 times, ‘It would be so easy to just down this thing, right’ while making sure we sipped. SO good. I’m going to try and find the product at a Whole Foods but even without…I’m sure it will be ‘just peachy!’ ;)
Barb, this looks fantastic and what a pretty photo! :)
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} Most Recent Post: Grilled Margherita Sandwich
Thank you Rachael; I think I love the challenge of getting that bubbly to just sort of explode over the top. It takes practice and a lot of sipping though. :)
Ahhh – this takes me back … to last night when some of us were in our jammas & we thought just maybe we could all time travel via twitter to your ace before your neighbour showed up for some fun … glad you actually ReALly got to enjoy it – it looks so good.
gardenbre Most Recent Post: shutting it down
They really were so good and a bit prophetic on one of the last days of summer; that chill is really in the air this morning, guess they were part of my rite of passage!
We love Bellini’s in our household. Gotta make use of peaches till the season allows it :) Cheers my friend!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com Most Recent Post: Strawberry Balsamic Gratin w/ Champagne Sabayon
Isn’t that the truth…peaches and plum are overflowing my counter now and I’m OK with that. Cheers to you too!
Bellini is a favorite of ours. That Just Peachy drink is something I need to try very soon. Cin cin to Friday Cocktails:)
Lora @cakeduchess Most Recent Post: Homemade Twix Bars
Now I have to find it locally…we really enjoyed it. I fear peaches will soon disappear so I’m eating them a lot…and obviously drinking them too!
This is my drink! So, so gorgeous – wish I had a glass right now for my Friday evening :).
Laura (Tutti Dolci) Most Recent Post: red velvet cake truffles
No, it’s my drink!! I wish I had more tonight…now wondering why do I always invite someone over to help me drink them when I could have had leftovers. :)
It’s always a toss-up between Peach Bellinis and Mimosas for me at brunch. So hard to choose! But right now your bellini with the peach infused wine would be a clear winner! Absolutely beautiful and, no doubt, incredibly delicious.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Most Recent Post: Blondies with Chocolate Chips and Cherries
I love both too although seems a Bellini is peachy and I mix up Mimosas a lot. Mostly by adding some liqueur to the OJ. So good with a bit of cranberry liqueur; pretty too.
I almost licked my screen to catch the overflow! YUM!
:) – I’m there with you…wish I had more that’s all I know.
I will keep my eyes out for the “Just Peachy” beverage– it sounds like it would be great on its own but you have elevated it to something for a special occasion. Glad to hear you are enjoying those Colorado peaches. Aren’t they delicious?
Holly Most Recent Post: Tomato Basil Bread
We did save enough to taste it alone and there is definitely both a peach undertone and a bit of sugar. Had no problem with it straight; none at all!
Beautiful, Love this cocktail. I have never seen the peach champagne before, how wonderful.
Suzanne Most Recent Post: Apple Cider Applesauce Coffee Cake
I was worried it might be too sweet but we just loved it; just accentuated the peach flavor; so good!