Peach Cooler with Sage

Peach Cooler with Sage

12 sage leaves
1 pound ripe peaches
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup sugar
Plain ice cubes
1 cup chilled water
1/4 teaspoon Angostura bitters
4 lime slices, for garnish

“a sweet fruity drink of fresh peaches with a hint of sage, this is a lovely nonalcoholic beverage to offer at parties. If fresh ripe peaches are not available, use nectarines, apricots, or even pears, but do not reach for canned peaches or canned peach nectar - they totally lack the delicate fragrance of the fruit”

1. Place 1 sage leaf in each compartment of an ice-cube tray. Fill the tray with water and freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight.

2. Cut 4 small peach wedges and set aside for garnish. Peel the remaining peaches, remove and discard the pits, and roughly chop the flesh. Save the peel to hang on the glasses as garnish. Puree the chopped peaches, lime juice, and sugar in a blender. Add 8 plain ice cubes and process until the ice is crushed.

3. Pour the puree into a tall pitcher. Stir in the water and bitters. Divide the sage ice cubes among 4 tall glasses. Add more plain ice cubes to fill the glasses. Pour the punch over. Garnish each glass with a peach slice, a lime slice, and some of the peel.
Serve right away.