With warm weather (finally!) approaching, and with no apologies for the false promises of spring from that prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil, fresh peaches will soon arrive in the markets, roadside stands and u-pick orchards across the South.

If you can't wait for summer's bounty and enjoy peaches and peach flavors in cocktails, one of the newest brands introduced in the past year is New Amsterdam Peach Vodka. As a true dyed-in-the-wool Georgian, I have to admit that anything peach-flavored piques my interest, so when I was shopping for a recent soiree, its bright labeling and gleaming bottle caught my attention on the shelf.

As with all new products, I tried it neat first, and then on the rocks before sampling a couple of different cocktail variations. Light traces of alcohol come through on both the nose and flavor when it's straight out of the bottle, but it is soon enveloped but not overwhelmed by ripe peaches.

The taste of New Amsterdam Peach Vodka is sweet and succulent, sort of like sorbet in a bottle, with notes of peach blossoms and the faintest hints of vanilla. The flavor pairs perfectly with tropical fruits - oranges and pineapples easily come to mind - so for a casual party, it's just (ahem) peachy keen.

For a fun get-together or celebration, I wouldn't serve it straight - the alcohol might be a bit much - but it is perfect for mixing in spring and summer cocktails with its soft and subtle fruit taste. And for an after-work wind-down drink when the evenings get really hot, a nice half-vodka, half-orange juice concoction over ice is easy and ideal for taking the edge off the heat.

No matter that the groundhog's predictions were off by a million miles this year, still enjoy the fruits of the warmer seasons with a few cooling cocktails with this tasty new vodka.

THE GEORGIA PEACH

(Created by Mary Ann Anderson)

1-1/2 ounces New Amsterdam Peach Vodka

3 ounces orange juice

3/4 ounce peach schnapps

2 ounces peach nectar

Splash of grenadine

Shake all ingredients except grenadine together with crushed ice and pour into a tall frosted glass with more fresh crushed ice. Add splash of grenadine and stir gently two or three times. Garnish with an orange slice.

PEACH SUNRISE

(Courtesy of New Amsterdam Vodka)

2-1/2 ounces New Amsterdam Peach Vodka

4 ounces orange juice

1 ounce pineapple juice

Shake ingredients together in cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Strain into a martini glass and serve or strain into a classic highball glass filled with ice cubes and serve.

PEACH PUNCH

(Created by Hal Wolin of The Cocktail Guru)

2 ounces New Amsterdam Peach Vodka

1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

1/2 ounce fresh orange juice

1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake with ice. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with lemon wedge or slice of peach, when in season.

NEW PEACH FIZZ

(Created by Hal Wolin of The Cocktail Guru)

2 ounces New Amsterdam Peach Vodka

3/4 ounces pineapple juice

3/4 ounces pomegranate juice

Club soda

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker, except for club soda. Shake with ice. Strain into ice filled highball glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with candied ginger or lime wedge.

Mary Ann Anderson is a Georgia-based writer whose columns include On the Rocks, Spa-La-La and The Earth Wilder for McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. She can be reached via email: MaryAnnAnderson@outlook.com

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