This is one for the grown-ups. Bourbon Poached Peaches is a dessert that is impressive enough to serve for a dinner party and takes almost no time at all.

3 poached peach halves on pewter plates one topped with ice cream

Ripe peaches are poached in bourbon and sugar, the sauce is then cooked and reduced to a luscious sauce that is drizzled over the peaches and topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh mint.

We are in peach season and they are a beautiful sight to see in the supermarkets and Farmers markets. Last Saturday I sampled the juiciest and tastiest peaches at our local Farmers Market and I bought as many as I could carry on 1.2 mile walk home.

Whole peaches in a bowl and one cut in half

On the way home, my husband wanted to stop off and buy some bourbon. He’s a Scotch drinker, but enjoyed Maker’s 46 with a friend the weekend before and wanted to treat himself. I convinced him to let me take some and the bourbon poached peaches were born. Of course there wasn’t much convincing since he got to enjoy them Saturday evening and he was a happy man

These bourbon poached peaches are a really easy dessert dish that will be sure to impress. The peaches can be poached ahead of time and then just serve when you’re ready. The poaching liquid is reduced to make a lovely thick Bourbon sauce and then I topped the peaches with a creamy vanilla ice cream.

How to poach peaches

This recipe is a little special because bourbon is used as the poaching liquid. Peach halves are cooked in bourbon and sugar. The liquid is reduced and thickened then poured over the finished fruit.

Recipe Suggestion

This recipe would also work well and be delicious using pears in the fall and winter.

Poached peach halves on a plate with ice cream garnished with fresh mint

Go ahead, make them this weekend and impress your friends and family. They will think they’re eating at a fine restaurant.

Yield: 4

Bourbon Poached Peaches

Drizzling bourbon sauce onto peach halves

Ripe peaches are poached in bourbon and sugar, then the sauce is then cooked and reduced to a luscious sauce that is drizzled over the peaches and topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh mint.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (118 ml) good bourbon
  • 1/2 cup (118 ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
  • Vanilla ice cream
  • 4 sprigs fresh mint, chopped

Instructions

  1. Add the bourbon, water and sugar to a large sauté pan and stir. Add the peaches to the pan, skin side down.
  2. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes turn the peaches onto the flesh side and cook for 5 more minutes.
  3. Remove the peaches from the pan and allow to cool.
  4. Simmer the bourbon mixture for 10 minutes or until reduced by half.
  5. Peel peaches gently using a small spoon to scrape off the skin.
  6. Serve warm with the sauce, vanilla ice cream and garnish with fresh mint.

Nutrition Information

Yield

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 140Sodium 2mgCarbohydrates 17gProtein 1g

No Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

No churn vanilla bean ice cream is a pleasing treat on a hot summer day. Creamy and not too sweet with distinct vanilla seed specks, this ice cream is a blank canvas for many other flavors.