Spiced Pear Collins

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Cocktail History

The Spiced Pear Collins is an autumn cocktail that was created by Nikki Achitoff-Gray, a food writer and recipe developer formerly of Saveur magazine.

A unique variation of the classic Tom Collins traditionally made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, this version incorporates a homemade spiced pear purée and a rosemary-infused syrup, both of which add depth and aromatic warmth. This combination offers the crispness of gin with a touch of sweetness and herbal notes, making it a sophisticated choice for autumn gatherings or quiet evenings.

Cocktail Ingredients

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

Soda Water: This is a carbonated beverage made with water and dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which gives it a fizzy, neutral flavor.

Gin: This is a spirit made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals to develop a distinctive, aromatic flavor.

Pear Purée: This is a spread made with pears and sugar, which are blended into a sweet, fruity condiment.

Rosemary Clove Syrup: This is a sweetener made with rosemary leaves, cloves, white sugar, and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a spiced, herbal flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water
• 🔗 Castle & Key Distillery Roots of Ruin Gin

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 and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Blender: This is an electric kitchen appliance with rotating blades that’s used for blending, puréeing, and emulsifying ingredients.

Cheesecloth: This is a lightweight, loosely woven cotton fabric that’s used for finely straining liquids.

Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for serving mixed drinks made with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 Ninja UltraCrush Professional Blender
• 🔗 American Cotton Ultra-Fine Cheesecloth
• 🔗 Riedel Drink Specific Highball Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Pale golden hue with an ombré effect

• Aroma: Ripe pear mixed with baking spices

• Taste: Refreshing mix of crisp pear, lemony tartness, and a hint of spice balanced by the effervescence of club soda

• Finish: Clean and invigorating with the sweetness of pear and subtle spices lingering

Kendall’s Take
“Light, fizzy, and fruit-forward, the Spiced Pear Collins brings a gentle sweetness that feels right at home in the fall. The spiced notes add depth without weighing down the template, keeping the drink crisp and refreshing from start to finish. With its balance of fresh fruit and subtle warmth, it’s an easy one to reach for when you want something seasonal but not heavy on the usual apple or pumpkin flavor.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in Saveur magazine.