Summer Trend Alert: Peachy Keen Cocktails Are Everywhere

Summer in a glass at The Hungry Cat

By Lesley Balla

If there's one way to get a last taste of summer, it's to enjoy the stone fruit that's still in abundance but will soon wane. You'll see peaches on every menu around town right now, in savory salads or in tarts and ice cream, but we're pretty partial to the creative ways the fuzzy-skinned fruit is showing up in our drinks, and we mean beyond the classic Bellini.

Here's a smattering of refreshing and delicious cocktails you can sip for as long as the fresh locally grown fruit holds out. Happy hour, anyone?

The Hungry Cat: The Passion Pit was a special last weekend when we stopped in after the Hollywood Farmers Market, a glass filled with chunks of muddled peaches, rye whiskey, lemon and turbinado simple syrup.

Drago Centro: The seasonal cocktail menu at Celestino Drago's Downtown restaurant features The White Picket Fence, a sipper made of apple brandy, peach puree, white tea, egg white and Forbidden bitters.

Casa Vega: An ice-blended peach margarita is just about right for the Valley heat at this Mexcian stalwart.

Sotto: The La Pesca Gustosa features Tenerelli Farms peaches and Bernard Farms lemons, Pierre Ferrand 1840 Cognac, Combier, Applejack brandy, Aperol and sage. Lip-smacking good.

Cafe del Rey: The White Hot Peach Sangria, made with dry white wine, brandy, peach schnapps, peach-infused simple syrup, slices of white peaches, served by the glass or pitcher.

Pop goes Bar 1886

Bar 1886 at The Raymond: The Southern Belle Whistle, a soda-pop creation made with bourbon, peaches and black tea, served in a bottle. Perfect summer night sipper on the new patio.

Pitfire Artisan Pizza: How about a little peach and berry white sangria to go with your wood-fired pies?

Freddy Smalls: We love the cocktails and bar snacks here. The Pickled Peach Old Fashioned pairs Buffalo Trace bourbon with pickled peaches, bitters and fresh basil.

Church & State: Yep, Downtown LA's French bistro has a great cocktail program, too. The Allocation is made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh peaches, Combier liqueur, lemon and mint, served on the rocks, in a highball.

Momed: Ok, maybe one Bellini. The frozen peach one at this South Beverly Drive spot is a nice icy treat with those modern Mediterranean dishes.