pear margarita 3.jpgNothing brings people together quite like a good cocktail. This holiday season, whether you're spending time with family, or gathering with old friends to reflect on the past year, mix up something special, like this Spiced Pear Margarita.

pear margarita 2.jpg

Typically one thinks of margaritas as a drinking-on-the-beach kind of cocktail; this one gets seasonally appropriate with pear and a medley of spices.

Spiced Pear Margarita
makes 1 cocktail

1.5 oz silver tequila
.75 oz Poire William eau-de-vie (pear brandy)
1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
.75 oz spiced simple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, and then shake and strain into a cocktail glass (rimmed with spiced sugar (see below) if you so desire).

For the spiced simple syrup:

Spiced Simple Syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
3 cinnamon sticks
8 whole cloves
3 whole anise stars

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once syrup has cooled, transfer contents of saucepan to a jar and allow to infuse for 24 hours (or up to 2 days for a stronger spice flavor). After the infusion period, strain out the spices and store the simple syrup in the fridge for up to a month.

For the spiced sugar:

Spiced Sugar
adapted from The Art of the Bar

1/2 cup superfine sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until evenly mixed.

pear margarita 1.jpg

May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases involve good friends, good times, and good drinks.

Nancy Mitchell would like to wish everyone a happy holiday filled with safe and happy drinking. You can find more of her recipes on her blog, The Backyard Bartender.

You might also like