Step 1

Combine the peaches, sugar, cinnamon stick and vanilla pod in a large stock pot and cover with water. You want the water to be about 2 inches higher than the peaches. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce it to a simmer and cook for 1 hour uncovered. After 1 hour, you can mash some of the peaches (they will just fall apart). Cover the pot and simmer for another 2 hours.

Step 2

After 2 hours, let the mixture cool. Strain it through a fine mesh sieve (I did so twice) to remove the solids. Some of the solids may remain. You can strain it through cheesecloth one more time if you’d like! At this point, stick it in the fridge so it chills. It’s great warm, but since it’s summer, we want it to be COLD.

Step 3

Before serving, mix the peach cider with the soda water or peach soda (if you can find it). You can also use any other flavor of soda or seltzer you’d like. To serve, add in extra fruit (like cherries or raspberries) and use frozen peach slices as your ice cubes. Garnish with fresh mint.