Why You’ll Love This Raspberry Peach Refresher

• It’s the essence of summer in a glass. We’re not using syrups or artificial flavors here. The magic comes from muddling fresh, ripe fruit, which releases all those incredible juices and essential oils, giving you a flavor that’s vibrant and authentically delicious.
• It’s incredibly versatile. This recipe is a perfect base. Love a stronger herbal note? Add more mint. Want to make it a cocktail? A splash of vodka or prosecco works beautifully. Prefer it sweeter or less sweet? You have full control. It’s your refresher, your rules.
• It looks as good as it tastes. The pinkish-orange hue from the peaches and raspberries, with little flecks of green mint and slices of fruit floating around—it’s honestly so pretty. It instantly elevates any table setting and makes you feel like you’re at a lovely little café.
• It’s unbelievably quick and fuss-free. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 10 minutes, tops. There’s no cooking, no straining (unless you want to), and minimal cleanup. It’s the perfect solution when you need something impressive but don’t have the time or energy for anything complicated.

Ingredients & Tools

• 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced (no need to peel!)
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 10-12 fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
• 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup, or to taste
• Juice of 1 large lime
• Ice cubes, plenty for serving
• 500 ml (about 2 cups) chilled sparkling water or club soda
• Optional: Thinly sliced peach and a few extra raspberries for garnish

Tools: A sturdy pitcher or a large jug, a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon, and a long spoon for stirring.

The quality of your fruit really is the star here, so try to get peaches that are fragrant and yield slightly to gentle pressure. As for the sweetener, I love honey for its floral notes, but maple syrup works just as well and keeps it vegan-friendly. The trick is to taste as you go—the sweetness of your fruit will vary, so adjust accordingly.

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 0 mins | Total Time: 10 mins

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• How ripe should the peaches be? You want them to be ripe but not mushy. They should smell sweet and give a little when you press near the stem. If they’re too firm, they won’t release much juice when muddled, and the flavor will be less pronounced.
• Can I use frozen fruit? You can, in a pinch! Thaw them first and be aware they’ll release more water, which might dilute the drink a little. The flavor will still be good, but fresh is always best for that bright, summery taste.
• What’s the deal with muddling? Don’t be intimidated! Muddling is just gently pressing and twisting the ingredients to release their juices and oils. You’re not trying to pulverize them into a paste. The goal is to bruise the mint and break up the fruit just enough. Over-muddling can make the mint taste bitter.
• Choosing your sparkle. I prefer plain club soda for a clean, crisp finish, but you could use lemon-lime sparkling water if you want an extra citrus kick. Just be mindful of the sugar content if you’re using a flavored sparkling water.

How to Make Raspberry Peach Refresher

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A simple quinoa salad with lemon vinaigrette — The lightness of the salad won’t compete with the refresher, and the lemony dressing creates a lovely flavor bridge to the citrus in the drink.
• Grilled shrimp or chicken skewers with a chili-lime glaze — The slight smokiness and spice from the grill are fantastic alongside the sweet and tart notes of the Raspberry Peach Refresher. It’s a classic summer pairing that just works.
• Fresh spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce — The cool, crisp vegetables and the rich, savory peanut sauce are a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the fizzy, fruity drink.

Drinks

• For a cocktail version, add a shot of vodka or gin — The clean, neutral spirit lets the fruit flavors shine while adding a nice kick. It transforms it into a sophisticated summer cocktail effortlessly.
• A dry rosé or a prosecco — If you’re feeling festive, you can replace half of the sparkling water with your favorite bubbly wine. It adds a lovely complexity and makes it feel extra celebratory.
• Iced green tea — For a non-alcoholic pairing, a lightly sweetened iced green tea has a subtle grassy note that complements the fruit without overpowering it.

Something Sweet

• Lemon bars with a shortbread crust — The intense, tangy lemon curd is a perfect palate-cleanser after the fruity drink and provides a delightful contrast in texture.
• Almond biscotti — The nutty, crunchy biscotti is fantastic for dipping and doesn’t add too much sweetness, making it a sophisticated and light ending.
• A simple bowl of mixed berries with a dollop of Greek yogurt — Keep the fruit theme going with a dessert that’s refreshing, healthy, and requires zero effort, which is exactly what you want after a relaxing meal.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using under-ripe fruit. This is the biggest one. Hard peaches and tart raspberries will result in a drink that’s sour and lacks that beautiful summery sweetness. You’ll end up having to add way more sweetener to balance it out.
• Mistake: Over-muddling the mint. I’ve messed this up before too… if you aggressively pound the mint, you’ll release chlorophyll, which tastes bitter and grassy. A gentle press and twist is all you need to release the lovely aromatic oils.
• Mistake: Adding the sparkling water before the ice. If you mix everything in the pitcher and then pour, you’ll lose all the fizz by the time it hits the glass. Building the drink directly in the ice-filled glasses ensures maximum bubbliness with every sip.
• Mistake: Making it too far in advance. This is a drink meant to be enjoyed immediately. If you let it sit, the fruit will continue to break down, the mint will get soggy, and the carbonation will flatline. Mix it just before serving.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make a fruit syrup base ahead of time. If you’re serving a crowd, you can muddle the fruit, mint, lime, and sweetener a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. When guests arrive, just spoon the base over ice and top with sparkling water. It streamlines the process beautifully.
• Tip: Get creative with herbs. While mint is classic, don’t be afraid to experiment. Basil adds a wonderful peppery-sweet note, and a little thyme or lemon thyme can be really intriguing and sophisticated.
• Tip: Control the pulp. If you or your guests aren’t fans of seeds and pulp, you can strain the muddled mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into the glasses before adding ice and sparkling water. You’ll get all the flavor with a smoother texture.
• Tip: Freeze fruit into your ice cubes. For a truly stunning presentation, freeze small raspberries or tiny peach dice into your ice cube trays. They’ll keep the drink cold without diluting the flavor as they melt.

FAQs

Can I make a large pitcher of this for a party?
Absolutely! You can easily double or triple the recipe. The key is to do the muddling in the pitcher to create the flavorful base, but wait to add the sparkling water until you’re ready to serve. Keep the base chilled and the sparkling water cold, and have a big bowl of ice ready. Let guests build their own glasses, or pour the base over ice in a pitcher and top with the sparkling water right before carrying it out to the table. This way, everyone gets a perfectly fizzy drink.

How long will the muddled fruit base keep in the refrigerator?
It will keep for about 24 hours, but the color and freshness of the mint will start to fade after that. The fruit will also continue to macerate and become softer. It’s definitely best used the same day you make it for the brightest flavor and most vibrant appearance. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the base, as the texture of the fruit will be ruined upon thawing.

My drink isn’t sweet enough. What can I do?
No problem! The sweetness of fruit can vary so much. The easiest fix is to stir in a little more honey or maple syrup directly into your glass. You could also make a simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved, then cooled) which will incorporate into a cold drink more easily than straight honey. Just add a teaspoon at a time, stir, and taste until it’s perfect for you.

Is there a good substitute for honey or maple syrup?
Yes, a simple syrup (as mentioned above) is a great neutral option. Agave nectar also works well and dissolves easily. If you’re using a granulated sugar like coconut sugar or regular white sugar, I’d highly recommend making a syrup with it first, as granulated sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquids and you’ll end up with a gritty texture at the bottom of your glass.

Can I use nectarines instead of peaches?
Of course! Nectarines are a fantastic substitute. They have a very similar flavor profile to peaches but without the fuzzy skin, which some people prefer. The method and measurements remain exactly the same. You could even use a combination of both for a more complex fruit flavor.