Partridge in a Pear Tree

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Cocktail History

The Partridge in a Pear Tree is a Christmas cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in her book Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. Inspired by the classic French 75, this festive variation swaps out the gin for pear eau de vie, a delicate and aromatic pear brandy that adds a fruity elegance to the mix. It then enhances the spirit with a homemade pine syrup, which imparts a subtle evergreen essence, and woodsy bitters that deepen the flavor profile before topping it all off with crisp sparkling wine. All together, the ingredients lend fresh, earthy, and effervescent notes, making it a sophisticated choice for holiday gatherings or celebratory toasts.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white or red grapes and infused with carbon dioxide. I used Champagne Moutard Père & Fils Brut Prestige.

Pear Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with Bartlett pears, quince, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Maison Ferrand Mathilde Poire Liqueur.

Pine Syrup: This is a sweetener made with pine tea, white sugar, and water. I used this stovetop recipe.

Spruce & Birch Bitters: This is a food product made with spruce, birch, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Crude Bitters & Sodas “Apothecary” Spruce & Birch Bitters.

Pear Wedge: This is a pear slice that has been cut into a wedge shape.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Bar Spoon: This is a long-handled spoon with a twisted shaft that’s used for stirring, layering, and reaching the bottom of tall cocktail glasses. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Coupe Glass: This is a stemmed, shallow, wide-bowled glass that’s designed to enhance aroma and presentation. I used the Cocktail Kingdom Leopold Coupe Glass.

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Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Pale green-yellow color

• Aroma: Airy fruit and wine

• Taste: Dry wine flavor with tangy pear and woodsy herbs

• Finish: More tart pear

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I’m typically a huge fan of mixing sparkling wine with pear, but this recipe didn’t blow me away like a few other bubbly cocktails have. Even with the addition of pine and spruce flavors, which were prominent, in my opinion, I didn’t get much complexity from the Partridge in a Pear Tree overall. It could’ve been the liqueur or the sparkling wine I used that made me find it a little bland, but I would request a Minute to Midnight or Santa Baby before revisiting this one again.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-03-24.