It’s a challenge to grow peaches, said Al Pearson of Fort Valley’s Pearson Farm. “If we don’t win the battle with taste, then we’ve lost.”
The family-run farm is in its fifth generation of harvesting Georgia peaches, which Pearson believes are superior. “I think the heavy Georgia red clay soil gives the peaches a particular terroir, much like wine grapes,” he said.
Though peach season is winding down, we’ve rounded up some dishes and drinks to savor the plump, drippy goodness of Georgia peaches in their final days.
EAT
Farm Burger's peach burger: a grass-fed and -finished beef patty topped with Georgia peach chutney, Decimal Place goat cheese and arugula.
Honeyed peach chutney marries with tangy goat cheese. The chutney also may be ordered as an a la carte topping. If you’re not a meat eater, try the veggie quinoa burger, blending the sweetness of beets and peaches.
Locations in Buckhead, Decatur and Dunwoody, farmburger.net.
STK's heirloom tomato salad: local peaches, basil, pecorino and tomato foam.
In an ode to the traditional caprese salad, peaches are layered with heirloom tomatoes. Thinly sliced pecorino adorns the dish and adds to the silky saltiness of the tomato foam.
1075 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-793-0144, togrp.com/stk-atlanta.
1910 Public House's smothered chicken: caramelized onions, bourbon-glazed Georgia peaches, squash medley and confetti rice.
This Lilburn mainstay prides itself on made-from-scratch accompaniments, and the bourbon-glazed peaches are no exception. The rich aroma of bourbon clings to the sliced peaches. It won’t be a problem to wipe the dripping syrup from your lips.
107 Main St. East, Lilburn. 770-564-6911, 1910publichouse.com.
DRINK
The General Muir's Elberta soda: Pearson's Elberta peaches, ginger, cayenne and basil.
This soda has spicy kicks from two sides of the flavor spectrum, while basil and peaches coat the palate with herbal purity. It’s served at the restaurant and at farmer markets in Decatur, East Atlanta and Grant Park.
1540 Avenue Place, Suite B-230, Atlanta. 678-927-9131, thegeneralmuir.com.
Food 101's Sweet Southern Pie cocktail: Absolut Peach, Licor 43, fresh peach simple syrup, fresh Georgia peach slices, one vanilla wafer and ginger-infused sugar rim.
Peach pie is synonymous with the South, and beyond turning the dessert into a cocktail, Food 101 serves it up with a bacon slice. The edible stirrer instills a smoky finish on each fragrant sip.
4969 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. 404-497-9700, food101atlanta.com.
Park 75's peach milkshake: High Road ice cream, Georgia peaches and whole milk.
Slurp down an opulent concoction that spins together rich cream and peaches. Park 75 sources both Pearson Farm and Lane Farm peaches for its menu. The milkshake is available for $5 during Wednesday’s Burger Bar or by request.
75 14th St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-253-3840, fourseasons.com/atlanta/dining/restaurants/park_75.
INDULGE
Revolution Doughnuts' fresh peach slider: a yeast-raised round filled with sliced Pearson peaches.
The idea is simple: stuff sliced peaches into a crackly, yeast-raised round. Plus, old-fashioned doughnut fans can get their fingers sticky with peach-glazed sour cream. The best part: Both doughnuts are vegan. Find these peachy delights in the store or at Emory, Decatur or Grant Park farmers markets.
908 W. College Ave., Decatur. 678-927-9920, revolutiondoughnuts.com.
Miller Union's peach and cava float: peach ice cream and cava sorbet served in a glass with almond blondies and puff pastry on the side.
Instead of pairing bourbon and peaches, boozy cava sorbet interplays refreshingly with the peach ice cream. Soften up the caramelized puff pastry and almond blondies by dipping them into the float for the perfect palate cleanser.
999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta. 678-733-8550, millerunion.com.
