Nectar of Nectarines

When nectarines are dead ripe and fragrant, this is the drink to make. Four nectarines blended with fresh orange juice, a squeeze of lemon, a touch of sugar, and cracked ice produce a thick, frosty smoothie that tastes like pure summer.

No yogurt, no milk, no banana to bulk it up. Just fruit and citrus. The nectarines carry all the body on their own, and their natural pectin gives the drink a silky, almost nectar-like consistency that thinner fruits can’t match.

The lemon juice is small but essential. It brightens the nectarine flavor and keeps the drink from tasting flat or overly sweet. Without it, stone fruit drinks can taste one-dimensional.

Kitchen Tips

• Use ripe, slightly soft nectarines. Firm ones won’t blend smoothly and lack sweetness.
• Peel the nectarines first for a smoother texture. The skin can leave bitter flecks.
• Crack the ice before adding to the blender so it blends evenly without leaving chunks.
• Taste before pouring. If the nectarines are very sweet, skip the sugar entirely.

Variations

• Add a handful of fresh strawberries or blueberries for a mixed stone-fruit berry blend.
• Freeze the nectarine slices ahead of time and skip the ice for a thicker, slushier drink.
• Splash in a shot of peach schnapps or white rum for an adults-only version.