End of Summer Inspiration: Make Your Own Peach-Infused Brandy

by Calin Benson September 09, 2021

Peaches are a late summer treat, and nothing says sunshine like sweet, juicy, succulent peach delicacies. One of our summer favorites is peach-infused brandy. Adding a hint of delicate, floral sweetness to the underlying silky, oak, and fruit-forward notes of brandy, this bright infusion is as versatile as it is delicious. While subtly different from distilled peach brandy where the brandy is distilled directly from peaches (instead of grapes or apples), and vastly different from the bottom-shelf syrup used in cocktails like “sex on the beach” or schnapps, this infused version is pleasantly balanced, yielding fine, rich, flavor accented with bright fresh peach notes. Sip peach-infused brandy neat, on the rocks, as a base substitute for any summer cocktail, or other brandy drinks such as a mint julep, Bellini, or La Joie.

To Infuse:

1-2 large ripe peaches, sliced

(1 )750 ml bottle Prince de Didonne Cognac or Labiette Castille Armagnac

*Spices if desired, see below for ideas

In a large jar with a lid, combine peach slices and spices (if you are using them - keep in a spice bag for easy removal) with desired brandy, replace the lid and let soak for 4 to 48 hours. Do a taste check to see if spices might need to be removed earlier. Strain out fruit with cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer and store your peach-infused brandy in its original bottle or an air-tight, sealed container out of direct sun. *Tip: Don’t let the soaked fruit go to waste! Add it on ice cream or muddle it in a cocktail for an additional high-alcohol burst of flavor.

For spices, try incorporating mint, basil, all-spice, cloves, almond, honey, vanilla, ginger, or orange-blossom....let your imagination run wild!

Or instead of peaches, try using other fruits like pear, apricot, blackberries, or citrus fruits.

Peach Smash Cocktail:

Ingredients:

2-3 peach slices

3-4 mint leaves

1.5 – 2 oz. Peach-infused Prince de Didonne VS Cognac or Labiette Castille VS Armagnac

.5 oz. Brown Sugar or Demerara Simple Syrup

Spicy Ginger Beer or Seltzer Water

Lemon Juice

Directions: 

Muddle peach slices, spank mint to release oils and add it to the shaker. Add peach brandy, simple syrup, and squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Shake over ice until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with ginger beer, seltzer water or combination of both. Garnish with a fresh peach slice or a dash of lemon juice.

---

---

Also in Recipes