This Ginger Pear Cocktail is fruity and slightly sweet with notes of warm ginger flavor and a generous splash of smooth bourbon. Effervescent and refreshing yet cozy and warming, this fall bourbon cocktail with pears complements any number of appetizers, snacks and starters.
Featured comment: This is an incredible tasting drink. I have made this several times in the past couple weeks – a fan favorite for my wife and I – using nectar or juice. Happy with either.” – R. Thatcher
Update: This post was originally published in September 2016. I made edits to the post below to include more information about making this cocktails with pears at home.
Hi, friends! I hope you are ready to get your adult drink on, because today we are making the most fabulous pear cocktail. Often replicated, but never truly duplicated, this ginger pear cocktail recipe is uniquely delicious. Easy to prepare and even easier to sip, you’ll love the simplicity of this mixed bourbon drink.
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About this cocktail with pears
Fresh pears! Is it just me or are pears the most under–appreciated early fall fruit? It seems like everyone is in such a hurry to pick apples or pluck pumpkins that they forget about the humble, yet truly delicious pear. Well, today we are fixing that problem. And, adding some booze for good measure, because why not. Enter today’s fall bourbon cocktail – an amazing ginger pear mixed drink.
Featuring mellow, fruity pears; warming fresh ginger; tart lemon, a touch of sweet honey simple syrup, a generous splash of boozy bourbon and splash of bubbly ginger ale, this alcoholic drink is early fall in cocktail form!
Warm and cozy, yet fruity and sweet with the perfect hint of bubbles, this pear cocktail checks all the right boxes!
So, what are you waiting for? I’m pretty sure it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.
Why you’ll love this ginger bourbon pear cocktail
- Flavorful! This spiced pear cocktail is fruity, sweet, refreshing and effervescent, yet cozy and warming at the same time. It’s a delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fall.
- Pears! Don’t give apple and pumpkin recipes all the love. The humble pear deserves some time in the spotlight too!
Ingredients for this pear drink
- Bourbon – You can use whatever bourbon you love. For this mixed drink, I prefer to use liquor that boasts citrus, vanilla, and oak flavors because it complements the flavors in this fall cocktail.
- Substitution: If you are fresh out of bourbon, the best substitutes for bourbon in this pear drink are whiskey, brandy, pear brandy, rum, and cognac.
- Pear Juice – You can use either pear juice or pear nectar (pear puree) for this drink recipe. You can locate both in the drink aisle of most grocery stores. However, if you can’t find it, it’s easy to make homemade pear nectar yourself!
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Tart citrus juice balances the fruity, sweet flavors found in this drink.
- Ginger Ale – A touch of bubbly ginger ale lends beautiful effervescence.
- Substitution – Make your drink more boozy by swapping out the ginger ale for ginger beer.
- Simple Syrup – A combination of honey, fresh ginger and water perfectly sweetens this pear cocktail recipe.
- Garnishes – While entirely optional, cocktail garnishes are the perfect way to customize your drink. They not only add visual appeal, but they can intensify or complement the flavors of your beverage. I typically garnish this pear cocktail with some of the following: slices of pear, candied ginger, lemon wheel, fresh sprig of thyme, and / or a cinnamon stick.
Variations
- Non-Alcoholic Pear Drink – Are you looking for a virgin spiced pear cocktail recipe? You can use a splash of pure vanilla extract OR a mixture of apple cider vinegar and brown sugar to mimic the bourbon. However, make sure you start with a very small amount – do NOT swap the alcohol out in a 1:1 ratio.
- Vodka Pear Cocktail – Prefer light liquor to dark? Nix the bourbon and use pear vodka instead.
How to make a pear cocktail
This ginger pear drink is easier than pie to shake together. Here’s how it’s done:
For the simple syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine the combine honey, water and fresh ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook until the honey dissolves into water, about 3-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the stove and set aside to steep for 20 minutes. Strain into a container, discarding ginger. Cover the container and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the fall bourbon cocktail
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To a cocktail shaker, add the bourbon (whiskey), pear juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Vigorously shake until the metal tin is cool to the touch.
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Add ice to a cocktail glass and pour the ginger whiskey over the top. Next, pour in the ginger ale to top off the glass.
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Garnish your cocktail glass with a slice of pear and a lemon twist, peel or wedge. To take your pear ginger cocktail over the top, skewer a few pieces of crystallized ginger on cocktail pick to adorn the glass. Enjoy!
Tips for the best pear cocktails
- Always make your cocktails to taste! The measurements for this pear alcohol drink are just my recommendations. Use the recipe below as a cocktail guideline, and not the Ginger & Pear Bourbon Splash rule book. Like more bourbon? Add more! Like your cocktail sweeter? Use a heavier hand with the honey simple syrup. Really love the taste of ginger? Top your cocktail off with a few ounces of ginger ale. Do you people.
- Quick simple syrup: If you are feeling particularly lazy, you don’t need to use the stove for the honey simple syrup. You can just use a Mason jar and HOT water. Add the hot water, honey and ginger to the jar and shake vigorously until the honey dissolves. Set it aside to steep for at least 20 minutes before using in this pear cocktail recipe.
- The ginger honey simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, so feel free to make a double batch. It tastes delicious added to tea. Or, you could just have it on hand for all your bourbon cocktail and pear punch needs.
- Cocktail garnish: The crystalized ginger compliments this fall bourbon cocktail perfectly, so if you have some on hand I definitely recommend you use it!
Storing bourbon fall cocktail
The honey ginger simple syrup will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks, so it’s easy to make in advance.
You should enjoy this ginger pear cocktail immediately, as storing is not recommended.
Stay cozy and quench your thirst in yummy fall style with a ginger pear bourbon cocktail or two! Until next week friends, cheers! *Clinks all around*
Cheyanne
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How to make a Ginger Whiskey Cocktail with Pears 👇
Pear Cocktail with Ginger and Bourbon
Equipment
- 1 Small Saucepan OR Mason Jar (for making honey simple syrup)
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Bourbon
- 2 ounces Pear Nectar or Juice
- ½ whole Lemon – juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 ounce Ginger Honey Simple Syrup (SEE BELOW)
- Ginger Ale - to taste
Ginger Honey Simple Syrup: (enough for 2 cocktails)
- ¼ Cup Honey
- ¼ Cup Water
- 1 1’’ piece Fresh Ginger – peeled and thinly sliced
- Optional Garnishes: Crystallized Ginger, thinly sliced Pear, Lemon Wedges
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan combine honey, water and ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring, until honey dissolves into water. Remove from heat and set aside to steep for 20 minutes. Strain into a container, discarding ginger, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Mix the cocktail: Combine bourbon, pear juice, lemon and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Vigorously shake until chilled.
- Top with ginger ale: Pour over ice in a cocktail glass and top with a bit of ginger ale.
- Garnish and serve: Adorn your cocktail glass with pear slices, a lemon wedge and a few pieces of crystallized ginger on a skewer. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ginger Honey Simple Syrup will keep, covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
As not all lemons are created equal, can you suggest a rough edging the amount of lemon juice to use?
Thanks so much!
Toni
Geez…auto correct…. “Rough estimate”
Hi Toni,
Great question and fair point! I’d start with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for this cocktail recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions as I’m always happy to help! Cheers and warm wishes for a wonderful day. 🙂
Thank you, Cheyanne!
This is an incredible tasting drink.
I have made this several times in the past couple weeks – a fan favorite for my wife and I – using nectar or juice. Happy with either.
To make the Honey-Ginger Syrup I used equal parts local honey and Monin’s Ginger Syrup.
Ginger Ale? I like Red Rock or some other “craft” Ginger Ale/Beer. Garnish with a slice of red pear.
If you haven’t tried it, also look in this site for the Apple & Gin Autumn Cocktail – nice balance n this drink, too!
Hi RThatcher,
I’m absolutely thrilled you enjoyed the cocktail recipe! Ginger beer is such a delicious substitution! Thank you for coming back and leaving a review! Cheers! (P.s – I’m thrilled you enjoy the Gin Cocktail as well!!) 🙂
Hi Cheyanne, I have my daughters bridal shower coming up and would love to make pitchers of the ginger pear bourbon cocktail. Could you send me the recipe for larger amounts…Thank you
Hi Helene,
This recipe can easily be scaled up or down. If you take your mouse and hover over the number of servings in the recipe card you will see you can adjust the number of servings, which in turn will automatically adjust the measurements of the ingredients in the recipe. Let me know if you have any other questions!
I hope your daughter has a beautiful bridal shower! Congratulations!!!!
This was good – but I felt like the ginger ale and bourbon completely overwhelmed the delicate pear flavor. The ginger honey simple syrup is excellent. I made extra and will look for other uses for it. Pear liqueur / vodka / pear nectar with the syrup the pear taste really comes through.
Hey Val,
This isn’t a pear cocktail, so the pear flavor is meant to be delicate. The ginger ale is to be used to taste and I only add a splash to finish the cocktail off at the end, which should in no way overwhelm any flavor. Glad you enjoyed the simple syrup and your vodka cocktail sounds great. Cheers!
Has anyone scaled this up to a pitcher? Make 10-12 at once? Would love the measurements!
Hi Emily! I’m not sure if anyone else has scaled this up to a pitcher, but I certainly have! The measurements are easily adjustable by simply multiplying the ingredients by however many you would like to serve.
Just in case you need a little help, here are the measurements for 10 cocktails:
20 ounces Bourbon
20 ounces Pear Nectar or Juice
5 Lemons – juiced
10 ounce Ginger Honey Simple Syrup*
Ginger Ale , to taste
*Ginger Honey Simple Syrup: (enough for 10 cocktails)
1 ¼ Cup Honey
1 ¼ Cup Water
5’’ piece of Ginger – peeled and thinly sliced
Hope you give this cocktail a try! Cheers and thank you so much for stopping by!
This year has flown by and I can’t even begin to think about upcoming holidays because I feel like it’s still summer (because I refuse to believe that winter is right around the corner). Although, I’d drink this cocktail any season and love the ginger in it. I’m gonna make a huge pitcher of this and sit down with it to plan some holiday dishes 😉
Ooooo…the ginger sounds wonderful with pear. Thanks for the holiday alarm. Yikes! I needed that big time. I am so behind. And then there’s halloween first. We have an exchange student from Shanghai living with us for the school year and he is all excited about going trick or treating for the first time. The thing is , he’s 18 and nearly six feet tall. Not sure people will open the door to him. Also not sure what he should dress up as….hmmmm….ideas anyone? I think Thanksgiving and Christmas will be easier holidays for sure. I love this great bourbon drink and your photos are ahhh-mazing friend! Have a wonderful week, I know it will improve once Monday is done! XO
Hahaha! Yup, I see how you can get preparedness and cleanliness mixed up – but I gotta stop laughing as gosh – the Christmas is almost here! YIKES! Where did the time go???
By the way, you are right, pears are so under appreciated and under-rated – and guess what I have hanging out in a bowl in my kitchen – yup, 7 pears waiting to get boozy with me cos Monday needs some booziness in it to make it Mondayrific right?! Gosh, I sound like I’ve been hitting the booze already – though I promise I haven’t!
Here’s hoping your week is off to a wonderful start, sweet Cheyanne! xoxo
Warm flavors of Fall in a cup!! Yummo
You always make the most stunning cocktails! Please come be the mixologist at my next party!! On a side note, I see you’re compliant with the latest food blogger requirement…honey dippers! Lol, I just recently got some for my fig parfait post 🙂
Well, MIND MELD because I just started my holiday list today, and I already am feeling the Holiday Pressure. I think I obviously need someone to make me this ginger pear cocktail STAT!! At least you’ve given me a head start on my holiday dinner drinks menu, because this is perfection, my friend! Cheers and xoxo!
One of my favorite things ever in life is my mother-in-law’s Pear Ginger Coffee cake, so this cocktail is making me pretty freaking happy right now. I need this in my life, pinning!
You are the queen of cocktails, Cheyanne! You always come up with some gorgeous drinks, including this ginger pear one. I love that this drink is warm with fall spices, but literally cool on the palate. Fabulous!
It’s been too hot here to even think about Thanksgiving, Cheyanne – I need to get me act in gear. Love this drink – you always come up with such inventive cocktails – cheers! Pear and ginger sound delicious – looking forward to trying it!
Pinning. Love the flavor combinations. Thanks. And thanks for the reminder that holidays are racing my way. Wasn’t it just January 1st?
I love everything with pear. And booze. So it’s a yes from me! Once again you’ve delivered, Cheyanne 😉
My husband and I love Moscow Mules, and every place that has really great ones make their own ginger simple syrup, so that is on my bucket list! Pears are one of my favorite things about fall, and I love them with ginger! These cocktails are some of the prettiest ones I’ve ever seen, Cheyanne, and I’d love to have to have a couple this weekend!
I love reading cocktail recipes. I’m not sure why, but recipes that include alcohol makes me feel like a real adult. I can’t believe Thanksgiving is only 8 weeks away. That crystallized ginger skewer is way too cute.
This is the perfect way to end the week! And the perfect way to distract me from the holiday planning I’ve yet to do…
Being prepared is so important! I can’t believe Thanksgiving is so soon! I’m a little surprised but also really excited because food. That is all. Definitely want to enjoy one of these later tonight!
So glad its officially Friday here and its 5 o’clock somewhere!! I am all about this delicious cocktail. Agreed, the pear does not get enough attention and is one of my favorites, even more so than apple. Only 8 weeks? Then that means Christmas is only….argh! I will need a pitcher of this Ginger Pear Bourbon Cocktail just to help relax in this time crunch 😉 . Have a great weekend! Take care.
Ginger Honey Simple Syrup – ooh, I love this idea and the possibilities for flavors is endless. Bottom’s up!
This mellow fruity pear drink with a little bit of heat from the ginger and tiny bourbon kick sounds like the perfect drink to celebrate fall! Looking forward to all the gorgeous Thanksgiving recipes even though that we don’t celebrate it here in the UK I love the idea of it 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
So sorry we don’t have Thanksgiving here, I would love that! These cocktails look amazing, I have already tried one of your boozy drinks and I wasn’t dissapointed. I will put these on the list, not for Thanksgiving, but maybe for a nice evening with friends.
Looks so refreshing and delicious. I love the flavors!
OMG! Now that you’ve scared me with all this holiday preparation in only 56 days, I’m going to need that whole pitcher of this delicious ginger-pear-bourbon libation! Wake me up when it’s over! 🙂 Cheers! Pinned, of course!
Your fourth fave day? Lolol. Did I ever tell you that I love the way you phrase things? Sassy, sweet and just a bit (or more) spicy! Hmm… I really do think of everything in terms of flavors and foods. Yep, that’s why we’re besties. 😉 Your order is totally logical. Because Sunday’s the end of the weekend and Friday, it’s just begun. Saturday is the clear winner, of course. Oh wow on Thanksgiving. When you put it that way, it’s basically two days away. Haha. YES on preparedness! Type A besties, right? Lol. How about a pumpkin pie cocktail??? Come on, you just admitted you had one that you LOVED!! And your cocktails are famous… so it only makes sense. Also, how about a cranberry walnut hummus? 🙂 Just my two cents–don’t throw them back at me, they would totally hurt. Haha. Can’t wait to chat with you this weekend (perhaps even on your #1 day!!!) Mwah! xoxo Pinned, duh!
P.S. LOVE this cocktail!!!
I know what you mean, Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. I’ve already made a few recipes for the blog but in real life, I’m still going to be enjoying all that fall has to offer. Love this gorgeous cocktail! Just perfect for ringing in the weekend ahead!! Have a great one girlie!
This drink is a stunner! Loving the flavors, color and sweet candied ginger! Well, you know how I feel about the holidays! Of course I knew it was 7 weeks, 6 days and 8 hours away…that’s probably because I’m always counting down for when the kids will be home! But – I’m planning the recipes for CCB as we talk! You crack me up, lady! #HelpASistahOut… literally made me laugh out loud! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous libation! Happy weekend, my friend! xoxo
I am not a drinker, but the flavour in this whiskey cocktail sounds so amazing that I want one too!
UM, yes please, give me this. I am not the best when it comes to thinking ahead and being prepared, which isn’t so great in the blogging world, so thanks for the reminder about Thanksgiving sneaking up on us! I need to get on that too! And in the meantime I will need to be sipping on one or two of these beautiful babies. I agree that pears are totally under appreciated! Pinning!
You had me at bourbon! You know I’m loving these cocktails with that little candy ginger garnish! LOVE! OMGee … Thanksgiving.. did you have to say it!? I have family coming this year from TX. Should be fun, and interesting. 😮 I’m not cooking, we’re going out to a little farm to table bistro… but you know I’ll be preparing the blog. I’m sitting down right now mapping out my next three months, because you know, we’re going to blink and it’ll be 2017! OMG!
Super thrilled for coming holiday season. And when it’s holiday time what else I could think of other than this wow looking cocktail. I seriously need this cocktail in my life because it’s really gloomy and cold here and this one looks just perfect for FALL. It looks so refreshing and super delicious! I just can’t take my eyes off. And that candied ginger looks adorabley yum, girlfriend. I love the flavours going on! Wish you a lovely weekend girlfriend. Cheers! 🙂 <3
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is coming up so quickly, eeeks! I definitely need to start preparing soon too. I should probably make one of these delicious looking cocktails before I do that though — love this! That syrup, omg. Need it now!
Holiday mania is here, at least for us in the food biz, right? It’s funny how I have had Fall recipe ideas percolating for a month or so now and it’s 90-100° out, now it’s 56 days ’til Turkey Day. Holy cow.
I love da pears, so good cold and crisp or slow baked in something. Now you go and pull this one out… love it. I’ll skip the Jim as I don’t drink anymore, but the rest sounds lovely and the ginger honey syrup could find it’s way in many things. 🙂 Cheers!
Oh my gosh I was JUST thinking about this!! <— that would be that Thanksgiving is getting um, closer and closer! How is that even happening?? It finally feels a little cool out today – I feel like it can't even be close to October yet since I haven't yet busted out the jeans and scarves! Anywho… loving this cocktail. I could absolutely use one after this week! haha
You know I’m always down with a cocktail Chey!! This one is perfect for the fall seasons and for Thanksgiving! It’ll be here before we all know it. I love my apples, but pears do come in a close second! I just the love the crystallized ginger garnish! Adding this one to my cocktail list ASAP! Happy weekend my friend!
Hi girl! I feel ya! I’m starting to twitch now with excitement just thinking about the weekend! Well, guess what? Here in Canada, our Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away!!! I seriously can ‘t believe it! Where is the time going? Where, I ask ya? Cray cray! Ok, I’ll calm down 😉 Just hand me one of those cocktails, will ya 🙂 Hehehehe. Love the ginger honey simple syrup in here. I’ll have to show this one to hubby too ’cause he is a bourbon fan. Pinned, of course. This is a perfect one to share on Thanksgiving (or possibly today) and get my fancy on with some crystalized ginger garnish. Love it! Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo
P.S. I think a side recipe would be wonderful for a thanksgiving idea. We all know we are having turkey so sides are a nice way to add some different elements. I’m sure you are gonna come up with something delicious girl!
Oh yikes…I am SO not ready for the holidays! That means that freezing cold weather and snow will be headed my way, so for now, I’m enjoying all that fall has to offer. What a pretty cocktail, Cheyanne! You sure do make the best drinks. What a way to celebrate Thirsty Thursday! Love the ginger and pear combo, too. Pinned! Hope you have a great day!
I’m a big fan of your donuts and your boozy milkshakes, so maybe do some holiday editions of those?
In the meantime, I’ll stick with your cocktails. This one would make my Friday happy hour so much better!
Cheers girl! You know I’m all about the bourbon and this looks like my new favorite fall cocktail! Love the ginger-pear combo here and you’re absolutely right, even I tend to overlook the poor pear. I’ll have to fix that right up with one of these! Pinned!
As for the holidays, you prepare away. I’m all about getting ahead at this time of year cause it goes fast and life gets crazy! I weirdly remember last year you promising us some manner of turkey — I think you ran out of time or didn’t want to buy an entire additional turkey to make/photograph the recipe; how is that still in my head?! — so I definitely want to see that. Would love your spin on a favorite dressing/stuffing and maybe some sort of festive fall appetizer since it’s the season of entertaining. I’m pretty much excited for whatever ya got 😉
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wow, this cocktail looks so refreshing and delicious! I love the flavours going on!