Drinks After Dark

Fresh Pear Cocktails

by Colleen Coplick on October 31st, 2008

An interesting tidbit popped into my inbox from USA Pears the other day, all about using fresh pears in cocktails. Some of the recipes look fantastic, and I’m always up for trying new recipes. These sound amazing. These are the first two that caught my eye, and you can find more at the USA Pears site.

Millionaire Pear
By Louis Bustamente, Vallejo, California

The Bartlett’s quintessential pear flavor is enhanced with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice while vanilla and mandarin flavors provide further complexity and depth. A dash of finely ground black pepper finishes the drink with a subtle smoky heat.

Ingredients:
Granulated sugar
1/4 USA Bartlett pear, sliced
1/2 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
3/4 oz pear liqueur, such as Clear Creek Pear Brandy or Aqua Perfecta Pear Eau de Vie
3/4 oz vodka
1/4 oz vanilla-infused simple syrup (see recipe below)
Mandarin blossom vodka, such as Hangar One or Absolut Mandarin
Ice
Finely ground fresh black pepper

Mix:
Dip the rim of a chilled cocktail glass in sugar and set aside. In a shaker, muddle pear slices with lemon juice. Fill with ice; add pear liqueur, vodka and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into the sugar-rimmed glass. Add a float of mandarin blossom vodka and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
The Vipera
By Brian Miller, Death and Company, New York

The warmly spiced pear infused tequila mixes well with the deep, fresh herbal flavor of the chartreuse, offering a beautifully hued cocktail with incredible pear flavor. The infusion takes six days, but this pear flavor is well worth the wait.

Ingredients:
2 oz pear-infused silver tequila (see recipe below)
1/2 oz yellow chartreuse
1/2 oz applejack
Cracked ice

Mix:
Pour ingredients over cracked ice and stir. Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with a thin slice of pear.
Pear-Infused Silver Tequila
3 USA Bartlett pears
1 Granny Smith apple
2 Cloves
1 Cinnamon stick
1 liter silver tequila, such as Herradura Silver or Sauza Hornitos Silver

Cut pears and apple into cubes, leaving peels and cores intact, and place in a large glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Add cloves, cinnamon stick, and tequila. Place lid on container and store at room temperature for six days, shaking periodically. Double strain to remove fruit and spices. keep infused tequila refrigerated.

(image and recipe source, USA Pears)

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POSTED IN: Cocktails, Happy Hour, Recipes