White Peach Floats

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, roughly chopped
• 4 pounds ripe white peaches, roughly chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)
• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Preparation

1. Fill a bowl halfway with ice water. In a small saucepan, over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of water. Add the ginger, bring to a boil, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and discard the ginger. Add half the peaches and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer to the ice water for 1 minute and slip off the skins; set aside. Repeat with the remaining peaches. Pour the syrup into a bowl to cool (you should have about 1 1/2 cups). Place the peaches and lemon juice in a bowl and, using your hands, crush the fruit. Spoon the pulp into a strainer placed over a bowl, then press it with the back of a spoon to extract the juice (you should have at least 4 cups). Stir in the syrup and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Divide the mixture among 4 glasses and top each with a scoop of the ice cream.
   
   Tip: If you have leftover peach juice from the floats, add it to sparkling water or wine to make a spritzer.