Sparkling Peach Sunrise

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces peach nectar

• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1/2 ounce simple syrup

• 4-5 fresh peach slices (or frozen if out of season)

• 6-8 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish

• Ice cubes

• Optional: splash of sparkling water for topping

Instructions:

Muddle Ingredients:
In a cocktail shaker, add the fresh peach slices, mint leaves, and simple syrup. Gently muddle using a muddler or the back of a spoon until the peach is crushed and the mint is fragrant.

Add Liquids:
Add the peach nectar and freshly squeezed orange juice to the shaker.

Add Ice and Shake:
Fill the shaker with ice cubes, seal tightly, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled.

Strain:
Double strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to remove fruit pulp and mint bits.

Garnish:
Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a peach slice. If desired, top with a splash of sparkling water for a lighter, bubbly finish.

Notes:

Freshness Matters: Use ripe, juicy peaches for optimal flavor. If fresh peaches are out of season, thawed frozen peach slices work well.

Mint Tips: Be gentle when muddling mint — press rather than tear to avoid bitterness from the leaves.

The Sparkling Peach Sunrise Mocktail is a refreshing, fruit-forward drink with bright citrus and sweet peach notes, perfect for any occasion where you want the sparkle without the alcohol.

Try This: Swap peach nectar for mango juice for a tropical twist, or add a dash of ginger syrup for a little zing.