Leave apples off your grocery list and out of your cocktails this time. Give pear's sweet, earthy, and crisp flavors a chance to be a well-deserving star in your cocktails. However you shake up a pear cocktail, be it with brandy, vodka, or an easy infusion, these tasty drinks could have a side effect: you may not ever come home with a bushel of apples again.
Vodka Pear Cocktails
Vodka takes a backseat to pear flavors thanks to its easygoing palette that easily changes with any added flavor.
Peary Bird Cocktail
Don't be put off by the unique ingredient list in this cocktail. If B&B liqueur isn't something you can easily locate, you can use yellow chartreuse or add an extra splash of brandy.
Ingredients
- ½ pear, diced
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ½ ounce brandy
- ½ ounce B&B Bénédictine liqueur
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle diced pear with simple syrup.
- Add ice, vodka, brandy, and B&B.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime ribbon.
Daphne Martini
Create a little pear-y good chaos with this blue martini and pronounced pear flavors.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces pear vodka
- ¾ ounce gin
- ½ ounce blue curaçao
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Raspberry and lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear vodka, gin, blue curaçao, and dry vermouth.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with raspberry and lemon ribbon.
French Pear Martini
Elevate your pear vodka with a splash of prosecco. After a sip or two, you can almost see the Seine River out of your window.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces pear vodka
- ¾ ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Pear slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear vodka, and elderflower liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with pear slice, if desired.
Sparkling Shamrock
Craft an earthy sour cocktail easily with fresh ingredients and fresh lemonade. However, no one will know if you use store-bought. After all, what would Ina Garten do?
Ingredients
- 3-4 cucumber slices
- 1¾ ounces pear vodka
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemonade to top off
- Pineapple chunks for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, thoroughly muddle cucumber slices with lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Add ice, pear vodka, and elderflower liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pineapple chunks.
Peartini
Soften your pear martini with smooth vanilla flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pear vodka
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce vanilla liqueur
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear vodka, lemon juice, vanilla liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lavender sprig.
Pear Cosmo
Let your typical cosmo take the night off with this tart spin. If cranberry juice isn't for you, then go ahead and use white grape juice.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces pear vodka
- ¾ ounce white cranberry juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear vodka, white cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Vodka Pear Lemonade
Give your pear cocktail an extra sour spin with just three ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pear vodka
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- 4 ounces lemonade
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear vodka, orange liqueur, and lemonade.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Spiced Pear Mule
The Moscow mule is an easy recipe to manipulate. The mule gets a full makeover with a bright pear flavor and spiced notes of the liqueur.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pear vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce allspice dram
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Mint sprig and lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass or copper mug, add ice, pear vodka, lime juice, and allspice dram.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with mint sprig and lime wedge.
Brandy Pear Cocktails
Brandy's polished flavors add the perfect amount of complexity when combined with pair. If you're searching for a pear brandy without luck, you may need to search for eau-de-vie de poire.
Pear Cobbler
Look past the ingredients you may not usually add to a cocktail to find an effortless cobbler on the other side: no oven mitts required.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces pear brandy
- ¾ ounce sherry
- ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- Ice
- Ginger ale to top off
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear brandy, sherry, and cinnamon simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with ginger ale.
- Garnish with pear slice.
The Perfect Pair
Brandy, citrus, pear? The perfect pairing for those pear flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pear brandy
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear brandy, lemon juice, orange juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with pear slice.
Pear Brandy Sour
Pear isn't a delicate thing; in fact, it's bold enough to stand up to sour notes without getting lost.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces pear brandy
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add pear brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime ribbon.
A Sparkling Pear
Quickly spin your pear brandy cocktail into a regal event with a little bubbly.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces pear brandy
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Pear slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with pear slice, if desired.
Pear Sidecar
The pear sidecar is the ideal cocktail for dipping your toes into the idea of pear brandy or for those who are new to brandy cocktails and flavors. It's a forgiving and beloved cocktail.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge and sugar for rim
- 1½ ounces pear brandy
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Gin Pear Cocktails
Juniper notes add an herbal and floral touch to pear's crisp and sweet flavors.
Frisco 49
Honey and pear are a natural relationship. With a bit of gin and a few bubbles, the cocktail becomes a great drink to toast at dinner or enjoy over brunch.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces pear-infused gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey simple syrup
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a Champagne flute or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pear gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with cherry.
Pear Tree Martini
Spin your simple pear martini into one with complex layers by using gin. For an even softer gin flavor, opt for genever.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce spiced pear liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, spiced pear liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with pear slice.
Pear Elderflower Collins
Go the distance with your pear cocktail by adding floral and bright elderflower liqueur, then tying it all together in a classic Tom Collins cocktail riff.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce pear liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Pear slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, pear liqueur, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks or Collins glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with pear slice, if desired.
Pear Gin Fizz
Deepen those pear flavors by using a spiced pear liqueur in this fizzy Champagne cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounce gin
- ¾ ounce spiced pear liqueur
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, spiced pear liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with pear slice.
Bourbon
The biting, caramel notes of bourbon make an excellent home for pear cocktails.
Pear Bourbon Gingersnap
Smooth over spicy ginger flavors with caramel bourbon, but make it a sweet experience with the addition of pear nectar.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce ginger liqueur
- ¾ ounce pear nectar
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Pear slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, ginger liqueur, pear nectar, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pear slice, if desired.
Pear Bourbon Smash
Give your bourbon smash recipe an upgrade with freshly sliced pear.
Ingredients
- 2-3 pear slices
- 1-2 lemon wedges
- 1-2 mint leaves
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle pear slices and lemon wedges with simple syrup.
- Add ice, bourbon, and mint leaves.
- Shake to chill.
- Pour, do not strain, into rocks glass.
- Garnish with mint sprig.
Sparkling Bourbon Pear
Capture fall flavors in a glass with a fizzy bourbon drink, letting apple take the night off.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce pear nectar
- ¾ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Pear slice and whole cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, pear nectar, cinnamon simple syrup, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with pear slice and cinnamon stick.
Pear Manhattan
If you're someone who doesn't want to change a good bourbon cocktail too much, then a pear and rye infusion is the perfect way to make a Manhattan that doesn't lose its spirit.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces pear-infused rye
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1-2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, pear rye, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cherry, if desired.
Pear Old-Fashioned
With a pear simple syrup, homemade or store-bought, transforms a bourbon old-fashioned in a blink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ¾ ounce pear simple syrup
- 3-4 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1-2 dashes orange bitters
- Ice
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, pear simple syrup, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pear slice.
Spirited Pear Cocktails
Explore the world of tropical pear cocktails thanks to rum and tequila.
Pear Daiquiri
A classic daiquiri has a very clean flavor, and with such a malleable profile, the pear sparkles.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces white rum
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce pear nectar
- Ice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white rum, lime juice, and pear nectar.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Spiced Pear Caipirinha
Ginger and pear are a notable combination, so it goes without saying that cachaça adds the perfect touch to transform this pair.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces cachaça
- 1½ ounces pear nectar
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce ginger liqueur
- Ice
- Pear slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cachaça, pear nectar, lemon juice, and ginger liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with pear slice.
Spiced Pear Bellini
Give your usual peach brunch cocktail a rest with this spiced upgrade.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce spiced pear liqueur
- Prosecco to top off
- Pear slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a Champagne flute or coupe.
- In chilled glass, add spiced pear liqueur.
- Top off with prosecco.
- Garnish with pear slice, if desired.
Pear Mojito
Soft pear flavors are a heavenly match beside fresh mint in this modern mojito.
Ingredients
- 2-3 fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces white rum
- ¾ ounce pear liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Pear slice, grapes, and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup.
- Add ice, white rum, pear liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with pear slice, grapes, and mint sprig.
Pear Margarita
Work some magic with this fruity margarita that'll leave your usual apple cider margarita in the dust.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and sugar for rim
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce pear liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, pear liqueur, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
- Strain into prepared glass.
Pear Cocktails Worth Trying
If you're a fan of apple cocktails, you're sure to be a fan of pear cocktails. With such similar flavor profiles, it's easy to transition to this crisp and complex flavor upgrade. Even though these fruits share such similar flavors, pear cocktails are an exceptional experience you won't find with any ordinary apple drink.
