I love the challenge of creating a new cocktail for an event, but this one stumped me.  My friend Kristin O’Keefe was hosting a Georgia themed political event and wondered if I could create a signature cocktail with peaches.  Although the event was held in Kensington, Maryland, the main purpose was to raise funds to create a Georgia chapter of Emerge, which helps Democratic women get elected to office.

Concocting a cocktail with peaches sounded like an easy task. I had in mind the combination of bourbon or rum infused with peaches and fresh herbs like basil or mint, but each combination I tried wasn’t something that made me want to keep sipping. So, I dumped and started over. This time I decided to use frozen peaches to create a cooling peachy frozen concoction like a daquiri.

With cocktail development, I know I have a hit when everyone wants to keep drinking the samples. Kristin stopped by for a quick test (and a lovely visit) and confirmed this was a winner.

These peach-basil daiquiris are so smooth and refreshing, the guests at the party were asking for refills faster than we could blend more.

I loved the way that Kristin and her co-hosts served the cocktails in small mason jars with colorful straws. Kristin and I decided that these would be a perfect happy hour match with pimento grilled cheese sandwiches cut into quarters.

Cheers to bringing women together for important causes infused with cocktails and good eats, and to getting more qualified women into elected office in Georgia and elsewhere.

Peach-Basil Daiquiri

2 servings

4 oz. white rum
1 cup frozen or fresh peach slices (about 1 peach)
1/2 cup orange juice
juice of 1/2 lime (about 2 Tbsp.)
1/2 cup ice
1 large fresh basil leaf (could try with 2 but not too many or it will turn an icky color)
1 – 2 Tbsp. triple sec or grand marnier liquor

Puree all ingredients in blender and serve immediately in cocktail glasses or small mason jars with colorful straws. Garnish with a peach slice and basil leaf or lime wheel, if desired.