Those Summer Nights- Peach Collins

I love summer. And I love peaches. In the summer. And I love drinking. In the summer.
All of those things are stirred up in a cup and create this lovely beverage-

Recipe via Cupcakes & Cashmere via myrecipes.com

Ingredients.

• 1/4 cup simple syrup*
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped ripe peaches, divided
• 1/2 cup peach-flavored vodka
• 1/2 cup club soda
• 2 peach slices

Preparation.
1. Mix simple syrup, lemon juice, 1/4 cup peaches, and about 1/2 cup ice in a cocktail shaker or plastic cup. Using the end of a wooden spoon, muddle mixture until peaches start to break up. Pour in vodka, cover shaker with top (or the cup with plastic wrap), and shake until blended.

2. Divide unstrained mixture between 2 tall glasses. Add half the remaining chopped peaches to each, then fill glasses with ice. Top each glass with 1/4 cup club soda and garnish with a peach slice.

Gingerbread Cocktail

Ingredients

For Syrup:

• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 whole cloves

Espresso:

• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
• 3 to 4 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur (recommended: Frangelico), optional
• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) Kahlua

Directions

For the syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.

Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool, about 20 minutes. Remove and discard the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

For the espresso: In an 8-ounce glass measuring cup, whisk together the boiling water, espresso powder, and liqueur, if using, until the powder is dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Combine 1 cup syrup with the espresso/hazelnut liqueur mixture in a large martini shaker. Add the Kaluha and shake to combine. Pour over ice-filled glasses and serve.

(via Food Network)