Drinks

Peach Flambe

January 29, 2016 by Jennifer

labeled cocktail

Peaches may no longer be in season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy them in a hot cocktail. How can you have a peach cocktail when you can’t get peaches? Well, today’s cocktail calls for dried peaches.

These days dried peaches (or any dried fruit for that matter) can be found at most farmer’s markets. But if your farmer’s market is buried in snow or drenched with rain (it is January), have no fear. You can get your peaches the same way I did – from Melissa’s. They have a variety of dried fruits including apricots, strawberries, cranberries and, of course, peaches. While dried fruit is usually saved for snacks or trail mix, they also make an excellent drink. All you have to do is soak the dried fruit in some hot water for a few minutes to plump it up, then add your liquor of choice, and voila – a delicious cocktail.

That’s what Charles Baker did when he came up with the Peach Flambé. While Baker doesn’t talk about how he came up with the cocktail, he does list it among his “hot helpers” in the wonderful Gentleman’s Companion, originally published in 1939. That means according to my rules, this drink is a classic.

Baker calls it a Hot Helper because it uses both hot water and warmed cognac which means it’s perfect for those cold winter nights. And since you can get dried peaches year round thanks to Melissa’s, there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t warm up those peaches and taste for yourself. Trust me, it’s a winner.

close up

Peach Flambé

Ingredients:

  • 2 dried peaches
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2-1/4 oz. cognac, divided
  • 1 pinch of ground cloves

Directions:

  1. Soak the peaches in hot water to plump them up.
  2. While the peaches are soaking, warm up 3/4 of an ounce of cognac in a small saucepan.
  3. Place the plumped peaches in a glass mug and sprinkle the sugar over them. Pour the warm cognac over the peaches and sugar and set aflame until the sugar starts to melt.
  4. Add the remaining cognac. Top with the hot water used to plump the peaches. Give a quick stir, sprinkle with the ground cloves and serve immediately.