Warm notes from a homemade pear ginger simple syrup combined with your favorite bourbon, brandy and lemon juice make this pear cocktail the ultimate winter drink.
When you think of fruit during the fall and winter, one of the first that comes to mind is pears. Sure, most people immediately think of apples in the fall but that's maybe because they only last for a couple of months, whereas pears are around for much longer.
So with New Year's Eve just around the corner, I wanted a festive drink that was comforting but took advantage of what's in season. Enter this pear cocktail.
Yes there is a little extra work by making a homemade pear ginger simple syrup, but it is what makes this drink.
With fruity pear, warm ginger and cinnamon, some sweetness from the honey, tartness from the lemon and splashes of bourbon and brandy, this pear cocktail has everything you could want. Fruity and sweet, but also warm and cozy? What could be better?
Jump to:
Recipe Ingredients
- Honey - adds some sweetness.
- Pears - the star of the show.
- Lemon - adds brightness and acid to the pear cocktail
- Cinnamon sticks and ginger - complements the pears.
- Bourbon and pear brandy - can't be called a cocktail without some alcohol.
- Ginger Ale - mellows out the cocktail and adds some carbonation.
How to Make a Pear Cocktail
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, honey, diced pear, cinnamon stick and ginger and bring to a soft boil. Reduce to simmer for 25 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes.Strain the syrup into a glass measuring cup, discarding the cinnamon stick and ginger but keeping the diced pears. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Combine bourbon, pear brandy, simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for about 30 seconds. Pour in a glass with crushed ice and a few leftover diced pears. Top with some ginger ale.
What Liquor Did You Use?
I will admit I’m not a bourbon connoisseur so I used Jim Beam Bourbon. However, use whatever bourbon you like for this pear cocktail. As far as the brandy, I used Berneroy Fine Calvados which is an apple/pear brandy.
What is Brandy?
Brandy is a distilled spirit produced from fermented fruit juice. Usually it is grapes, but apples, apricots, pears and other fruits can be used to make brandy.
How to Make a Cocktail without a Cocktail Shaker
I know not everyone has cocktail shakers. Just add your ingredients for the pear cocktail to a mug with some ice, screw the lid on tightly and start shaking.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Make the cocktail to your tastes. If you like bourbon, add more or if you like sweeter drinks, add more simple syrup. If you don’t like super strong drinks, add more Ginger Ale. Use this recipe as a guideline.
- You can make a double batch of the syrup and keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. It goes great with tea as well.
- Save the pears cooked in the simple syrup and add to the pear cocktail.
- Used crushed ice which will make the pear bourbon cocktail colder quicker.
- Add a cinnamon stick and then you can use it as a straw.
Other Drink Recipes
- Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
- Chocolate Peppermint Martini
- Homemade Eggnog
- Rum Sour
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule
- Mango Mojito
If you’ve tried this pear bourbon cocktail or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Pear Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
Pear Ginger Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 pear, diced into ½" pieces
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 (1") piece of ginger
Pear Bourbon Cocktail
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz pear brandy
- 1 oz pear ginger simple syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- Ginger Ale, to taste
Instructions
Pear Ginger Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine the water, honey, diced pear, cinnamon stick and ginger and bring to a soft boil. Reduce to simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Strain the syrup into a glass measuring cup, discarding the cinnamon stick and ginger but keeping the diced pears. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Pear Bourbon Cocktail
- Combine bourbon, pear brandy, simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in a glass with crushed ice and a few leftover diced pears. Top with some ginger ale.
Notes
- Make the cocktail to your tastes. If you like bourbon, add more or if you like sweeter drinks, add more simple syrup. If you don't like super strong drinks, add more Ginger Ale. Use this recipe as a guideline.
- You can make a double batch of the syrup and keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. It goes great with tea as well.
- Save the pears cooked in the simple syrup and add to the pear cocktail.
- Used crushed ice which will make the pear bourbon cocktail colder quicker.
- Add a cinnamon stick and then you can use it as a straw.
Chris says
Sounds delicious!