I've finally created the perfect peach basil combination that has everyone asking for the recipe! This gorgeous drink combines sweet, juicy peaches with fresh basil and a hint of lemon for a refreshing treat that's become my go-to summer drink.
What I love most about this peach basil mocktail is how simple it is to make - just 5 minutes from start to finish - yet it looks like something from an upscale bar. The ginger kombucha adds a subtle fizz and probiotic boost, making this not just delicious but good for you, too.
Why I Love This
This peach basil mocktail isn't just another pretty drink, it's a game-changer for your mocktail repertoire. Here's why it deserves a permanent spot in your drink rotation:
- Quick & Simple Preparation: Ready in just 5 minutes with minimal ingredients and no complicated techniques
- Customizable: Easily adapt the sweetness, fizziness, and flavor intensity to your preference
- Nutritious & Functional: Packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and gut-friendly probiotics from kombucha
- Visually Stunning: Creates an Instagram-worthy presentation with minimal effort
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Sophisticated enough for special celebrations yet simple enough for everyday refreshment
- Crowd-Pleaser: Appeals to all ages and dietary preferences with easy modifications
- Seasonal & Sustainable: Makes the most of peak-season peaches (but works beautifully with canned peaches year-round)
- Balanced Flavor Profile: Hits all the right notes – sweet, tangy, herbaceous, and refreshing
Ingredients
I chose these ingredients specifically to create a balanced, refreshing mocktail with depth of flavor. The sweet juiciness of peaches forms the perfect base, while fresh basil adds an unexpected herbal note that makes this drink special. Lemon juice brightens everything up with necessary acidity, and honey adds natural sweetness that blends beautifully with fruit.
The ginger kombucha provides just the right amount of fizz and a subtle spicy kick, plus those gut-friendly probiotics! Each element plays an important role in creating a mocktail that's both sophisticated and incredibly refreshing.
- 2 oz peach puree - The star of the show that provides natural sweetness and peachy goodness
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice - Adds brightness and balances the sweetness
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves - Brings an aromatic herbal note that elevates this drink
- ½ teaspoon honey - Provides natural sweetness with depth of flavor
- 3 oz ginger kombucha - Adds fizz, probiotics, and a subtle spicy note Ice cubes - For chilling and dilution
- Optional Tajin for rim - Creates a sweet-spicy-tangy contrast that complements the peach
- Garnish options: Fresh peach slices, additional basil leaves, or edible flowers
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker - For properly mixing and chilling the drink components (Alternative: Mason jar with tight-fitting lid)
- Muddler - To gently bruise the basil and release its essential oils (Alternative: End of a wooden spoon)
- Jigger or Measuring Cups - For precise measurements to ensure balanced flavor
- Fine Mesh Strainer - To catch the basil bits and create a smooth texture (Alternative: Small sieve)
- Blender - If making your own peach puree from fresh or canned peaches
- Small Microwave-Safe Bowl - For preparing the quick honey syrup
- Cocktail Glass - A short tumbler or rocks glass works beautifully
- Cutting Board & Knife - For preparing garnishes and cutting fruit
How To Make
- Start by preparing your glass. If you want a Tajin rim, run a lemon wedge around the edge of your glass and dip it into Tajin on a small plate. Set aside.
- Add the peach puree, lemon juice, and basil leaves to your cocktail shaker or mason jar. Gently press the basil a few times with a muddler or wooden spoon handle just to release its flavor without crushing it completely.
- Mix honey with a half teaspoon of water in a small bowl and microwave for 3-5 seconds to create a quick syrup. Pour this into your shaker along with a handful of ice, then secure the lid and shake everything together for about 15 seconds until cold.
- Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice and strain the mixture over it, leaving some room at the top. Pour in the cold ginger kombucha and give it one gentle stir to mix everything together.
- Garnish with a slice of peach and a fresh basil leaf, then serve immediately for the best flavor and fizz. You can make the peach puree ahead of time by blending 5 canned peach slices or half a fresh peach with 1-2 tablespoons of liquid.
Substitutions
Mixer Options
- For kombucha alternatives: Substitute ginger ale, lemon sparkling water, or plain soda water
- For a spicier kick: Try ginger beer instead of kombucha
- For a sweeter version: Use peach-flavored sparkling water
Sweetener Options
- Maple syrup: A perfect vegan alternative to honey with rich caramel notes
- Agave nectar: Lighter flavor profile that works well with peach
- Simple syrup: For a more neutral sweetness
- Monk fruit sweetener: For a zero-calorie option
Fruit Variations
- Peach + raspberry: Add 3-4 fresh raspberries for color and tart flavor
- Peach + strawberry: Substitute half the peach puree with strawberry puree
- Peach + mango: Blend equal parts peach and mango for a tropical twist
Herb Alternatives
- Mint leaves: For a cooling, refreshing alternative to basil
- Rosemary: A sophisticated herbal note (use less – about 1 small sprig)
- Thyme: Adds an unexpected earthy complexity
Pro Tips
Gentle muddling: Basil can become bitter if over-muddled; press just enough to release oils
Quick honey syrup: Microwaving honey with a splash of water creates a syrup that blends easily instead of sinking to the bottom
Ice quality: Use fresh, clean ice made with filtered water for the purest flavor
Garnish timing: Add basil garnish just before serving to prevent wilting
Perfect dilution: This mocktail is designed to be served over ice, which provides ideal dilution as it melts
Rim only half: For a more sophisticated presentation and to give drinkers a choice, rim only half the glass with Tajin
Layer your pour: Pour kombucha slowly over the back of a spoon for a beautiful layered effect
FAQ
Yes, but with some adjustments! Prepare the peach-basil-honey-lemon base up to 8 hours ahead and store refrigerated. Only add ice and kombucha when ready to serve to maintain the fizz and freshness. For larger batches, simply multiply the ingredients proportionally.
Absolutely! You can reduce the honey or substitute with a natural zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. You could also add a scoop of collagen powder for a protein boost or include a splash of apple cider vinegar for additional digestive benefits.
Most commercial kombuchas contain a trace amount of alcohol (typically less than 0.5%). For children or those avoiding alcohol completely, substitute with ginger ale, sparkling water, or non-alcoholic ginger beer for a similar taste experience.
For a beautiful pink version, add 3-4 raspberries or a small slice of dragon fruit. For a deeper orange, add a small piece of turmeric root when muddling. For a gorgeous purple variation, add 3-4 fresh blueberries or a splash of butterfly pea flower tea.
Yellow peaches typically provide the best flavor intensity, but white peaches work beautifully too. The most important factor is ripeness – your peaches should yield slightly to gentle pressure and have a strong, sweet aroma for optimal flavor.
While this recipe is designed as a mocktail, it can easily become a cocktail by adding 1.5 oz of vodka, white rum, or prosecco. The peach-basil flavor profile pairs particularly well with bourbon for a southern-inspired drink.
Basil can oxidize quickly when torn or cut. For garnish, use whole leaves and add them just before serving. When muddling, do so gently and serve the drink promptly, or strain completely if preparing ahead of time.
Yes! You can adjust the honey to taste or use a zero-calorie natural sweetener. Additionally, using freshly pureed peaches without added sugar and unsweetened kombucha will keep the overall sugar content lower while maintaining great flavor.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect Peach Basil Mocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz peach puree - The star of the show that provides natural sweetness and peachy goodness
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice - Adds brightness and balances the sweetness
- 6-8 fresh basil leaves - Brings an aromatic herbal note that elevates this drink
- ½ teaspoon honey - Provides natural sweetness with depth of flavor
- 3 oz ginger kombucha - Adds fizz probiotics, and a subtle spicy note
- Ice cubes - For chilling and dilution
- Optional Tajin for rim - Creates a sweet-spicy-tangy contrast that complements the peach
- Garnish options: Fresh peach slices additional basil leaves, or edible flowers
Instructions
- Start by preparing your glass. If you want a Tajin rim, run a lemon wedge around the edge of your glass and dip it into Tajin on a small plate. Set aside.
- Add the peach puree, lemon juice, and basil leaves to your cocktail shaker or mason jar. Gently press the basil a few times with a muddler or wooden spoon handle just to release its flavor without crushing it completely.
- Mix honey with a half teaspoon of water in a small bowl and microwave for 3-5 seconds to create a quick syrup. Pour this into your shaker along with a handful of ice, then secure the lid and shake everything together for about 15 seconds until cold.
- Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice and strain the mixture over it, leaving some room at the top. Pour in the cold ginger kombucha and give it one gentle stir to mix everything together.
- Garnish with a slice of peach and a fresh basil leaf, then serve immediately for the best flavor and fizz. You can make the peach puree ahead of time by blending 5 canned peach slices or half a fresh peach with 1-2 tablespoons of liquid.
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