Momotaro (Peach and Gin Cocktail)

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If I started by telling you what this drink consists of, it would probably sound quite ordinary, so I’ll talk first about its mysterious name, which I bet is not so mysterious for my Japanese friends. Momotaro, or Peach Boy, is a Japanese folklore tale character, who was found by and old couple in a peach and brought up as if it was their child. I don’t know if the person who named this drink was a fan of Momotaro tale or simply of Japanese origins. The most important is that the cocktail is deliciously summery and makes one feel as if autumn was still far, far away. It is also quick to prepare and requires very few ingredients. I see it as a mood-improving, adult fruit smoothie.

I knew that peach and gin are an incredibly good pairing (see my Peach and Gin Mousse and Peach and Gin Jam recipes), so I wonder why I waited such a long time before trying them in a drink. Luckily I found the perfect recipe at Mix Shake and Pour. My only modification was omitting the syrup, since my peach was very ripe and I hate very sweet drinks.

TIPS: Do not be tempted to use lime juice here instead of the simple lemon one. In my opinion it ruins the cocktail (I have tried once).

Preparation: 10 minutes

Ingredients for 1 Momotaro drink:

1 big very ripe peach

50 ml gin

juice from 1/2 lemon (do not be tempted to use lime juice!)

ice

(sugar syrup, just in case the peach is not ripe)

Cover the peach with boiling water for two minutes. Remove it with a slotted spoon and put into very cold water. After a couple of minutes the peel will come off easily with your fingers. (If it doesn’t, it means that the peach is unripe).

Remove the stone and mix the peach in a blender, adding a couple of ice cubes, lemon juice and gin. Mix again. Taste if more lemon juice or sugar syrup is needed.

Pour into a glass, add two or three ice cubes and smile!

Published by Sissi

35 Replies to “Momotaro (Peach and Gin Cocktail)”

  1. Oh, what a peachy delight Sissi! You know I’ve been anticipating all the gorgeous peach recipes this time of year… we slowly transition from blueberry to peach – the seasons are grand that way in the food blogging world. This drink has such a smashing colour and it’s so cool to actually incorporate the whole fruit into a drink like this (rather than the mere essence – or artificial essence ;-)). I wonder if I might try this with a light rum… great recipe idea Sissi!

    1. Thank you very much, Kelly. I love fresh fruit alcohol cocktails and prepare them whenever I can. No useless sugar, preserving agents etc.. The taste is wonderful too. I think it might be really good with rum too.

  3. Mmmmmmm! I love Summer peach, and we’ve been having a wonderful year here at Texas! Normally there’s a very small window (around 2 weeks) when the peaches and nectarines are juicy and fragrant, this year it’s been about 2 months and we are still able to buy really good ones!

    On a side note, I just read Amy Pohler (the lady from Parks and Recreation) has filed divorce from her husband of 9 years, it’s a sad day…

    1. Sad, sad day indeed! I don’t follow private lives of these actors at all. They are so real in their film roles!
      We have also quite a long peach season here (here I mean in France because I buy peaches mainly in France).

    1. Thanks a lot, A_Boleyn. I don’t drink cocktails a lot (rather wine), but a glass of a good drink is a pleasant way to start a weekend.

  5. Although I am not much a gin drinker, this beverage sounds quite intriguing to me. It is indeed a beautiful colour. And yes, anything to hang onto the summer days and nights is a good thing.

    1. Thank you so much, Eva. I like gin a lot because together with tequila they are very dry types of strong alcohol (compared to rum for example), so for me they pair well with fruits, especially if they produce such a lovely summer colour.

  6. I just bought a basket of really ripe peaches at the market yesterday, so ripe, that the peel just comes right off without blanching. I have lemon, but not gin. Would vodka work? If so, I’m making this tonight! This sounds SO good!

    1. Thank you, MJ. Of course try it with vodka! Good vodka has a neutral taste so it should pair well (I hope I’m not answering too late!).

      1. Thanks Sissi! No it’s not too late. We had an interruption tonight and I didn’t get a chance to have my Friday cocktail, so I’ll be making this tomorrow night for my Saturday cocktail. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

        1. I hope you will a have a chance to taste fresh mixed peach in a cocktail. It’s so much better than store bought peach juice. Have a lovely Sunday.

  7. That must be their equivalent of the classic Tom Thumb.
    You know, Sissi, after the comment you made at Lizzy’s peach scones, about using mangoes since it’s easier for me to get those where I am, I can’t help but think of substituting mangoes for every peach recipe that I now see …. including this one. And I can just imagine it’ll be just as delicious!

    1. Thank you, Ping. You are right! I have never thought of Tom Thumb. And you are right about mango cocktails. I’m sure mixed mango would pair fantastically with different alcohols (also rum I guess).

    1. Thank you so much, Karen. Peaches don’t grow well in some places. I don’t think I have ever seen Swiss peaches sold, though I’m sure people grow them at least for private use.

  11. Tonic water with a teaser of gin is the only alcoholic beverage I ocassionally enjoy despite my weird alcohol allergies. I still crave beer when I see it in commercials and of course you will never catch me in a pub, it is far too painful sitting with happy drunks and nursing a soda water. So I will experiment with this peachy drink a little. I may use less lemon juice and try to avoid the syrup altogether. I like my drinks dry if I could have drinks that is. Sigh.

    1. I totally understand your reluctance to go to pubs then. I also like gin and tonic occasionally. My peach was very very ripe and moreover I love acid cocktails, hence so much lemon juice. I hope you will enjoy this one. In general I love seasonal alcohol drinks with fresh juices. Not only they taste better, but feel healthier 😉

    2. I totally understand your reluctance to go to pubs then. I also like gin and tonic occasionally. My peach was very very ripe and moreover I love acid cocktails, hence so much lemon juice. I hope you will enjoy this one. In general I love seasonal alcohol drinks with fresh juices. Not only they taste better, but feel healthier 😉

  12. I don’t drink alcohol but you have tempted me to try it Sissi! I could reduce the quantity of gin to the level where I wouldn’t feel it and try it lol! Looks very refreshing!

    1. Thank you so much, Katerina. If you do like gin’s dry taste, even a splash will change the taste of the mixed peach.

    1. Thank you very much, Barb. I love making cocktails with fresh fruit instead of bottled juices. They have such a pleasant texture and feel healthy too.

  14. Sissy, I totally love your peach cocktail. I’m such a huge peach lover, and a peach fan of so many different desserts, and recipes of cocktails…including peach brandy, but your refreshing cocktail is something that I haven’t tried yet. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thank you so much, Elisabeth. You should try mixing fresh peach in any peach cocktail you know (unless you already do it). For me the taste is really superior to the one created with juice or syrup.

  16. Of course I love your cocktail! Before the picture shows up on the email update, I first thought it’s tomato recipe (momotaro is also a famous tomato brand in Japan – very sweet and delicious!!). You made me smile when I saw peach showing up in the picture. I know what you were thinking! Very cute post and I love peach drink… did I mention my favorite is peach flavored sour? Getting thirsty… 🙂

    1. Thank you very much, Nami. I had no idea you liked peach sour. I think I have already seen momotaro tomato at Hiroyuki’s blog, but I have completely forgotten.

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