Smoky Pear Cocktail Recipe
Written by Beat the winter cold with this uncomplicated Smoky Pear Cocktail recipe! Its blend of Mezcal, Tequila, peach liqueur, lemon, and sugar creates an irresistible drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 239
Ingredients
- 1 oz Mezcal
- 1 oz silver Tequila
- 1 oz pear liqueur
- ⅔ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Pear slice - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill an Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Lemon Juice: Take the shaker and pour ⅔ oz fresh lemon juice inside.
- Add Pear Liqueur: Add 1 oz pear liqueur.
- Add Tequila: Measure and pour 1 oz silver Tequila into the shaker as well.
- Add Mezcal: Finally, add 1 oz Mezcal to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Old Fashioned glass and use the cocktail strainer to remove any excess water inside. Add more ice if necessary and strain the drink from the shaker into the ice-filled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with one or two thin pear slices and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Mezcal: If you don't have mezcal, you can use tequila for a less smoky flavor. I've also used whiskey (Bourbon or peated Scotch) for a different twist on this cocktail.
- Pear Liqueur: If you can't find pear liqueur, you can use pear syrup as a substitute. You may have to adjust the quantity as syrups are generally sweeter than liqueurs. For a lighter option, you can also use a fresh ripe pear: peel it, dice it, and then muddle it in the shaker with the lemon juice. Add the rest of the ingredients, shake, and strain using a fine strainer in order to prevent little pieces of fruit from floating in your glass.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Lime juice can be an alternative to lemon juice; it adds a slightly different citrus note but still works well. If you don’t have fresh citruses at all, bottled lemon juice can also be used.
- Simple Syrup: If you don't have any simple syrup, you can easily make some at home by mixing together equal parts of sugar (any kind you like) and hot water. Stir well to dissolve and let it cool down before using it. In the refrigerator, this home-made simple syrup will last for about a month. Honey or agave nectar can also be used as natural sweeteners if you prefer not to use simple syrup.
Making a Pitcher of Smoky Pear Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of mezcal, 8 oz of silver tequila, 8 oz of pear liqueur, and 5 oz of lemon juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the mezcal, tequila, pear liqueur, and lemon juice. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, and garnish with thin pear slices. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container. It should last for about 3 days.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Mezcal & Tequila Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic spirit that has a smoky flavor profile, or a non-alcoholic tequila substitute; several brands are available that mimic Tequila's flavor quite well. You can also try making your own substitute by mixing together water, a pinch of smoked salt, a splash of tonic, and a bit of agave syrup (to taste).
- Pear Liqueur Substitute: Opt for a pear syrup or a sweetened pear juice. You can also add some fresh pear into the shaker for some extra pear flavor.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.