Peach-Ginger-Grape Fizz

A summer drink that tastes like you made an effort without actually making one. Ripe peaches get whirred with white grape juice and a knob of fresh ginger, then topped off with seltzer right before serving.

The ginger is what lifts this out of the realm of generic fruit smoothies. Even a teaspoon and a half sharpens the sweetness and leaves a pleasant bite at the back of the throat that makes you reach for another sip.

Use the ripest peaches you can find. The fizz has no added sugar, so the fruit is doing all the sweetening, and underripe stone fruit will leave the drink tasting thin. Peaches in peak season over supermarket nectarines any day.

Add the seltzer last and stir gently. Pour it in from the side of the glass rather than the top to preserve carbonation.

Kitchen Tips

• Blanch peaches for 30 seconds in boiling water to slip the skins off easily.
• Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve if you want a perfectly smooth drink; leave it rustic if you like the texture.
• Serve over crushed ice with a sprig of mint for a more cocktail-forward look.
• For entertaining, make the peach-ginger base ahead and add the seltzer only as drinks are poured.

Variations

• Swap grape juice for white wine or prosecco for an adult version.
• Substitute apricots or plums when peaches aren’t in season.
• Add a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt for a more complex savory-sweet balance.