Pear – Fect Day Recipe
pear bay leaf & juniper cordial, lemon
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Ingredients
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Pear Bay Leaf & Juniper Cordial
Cocktail
Method
Pear Bay Leaf & Juniper Cordial
- 1
Prepare fruit and aromatics
Peel, core and chop pears into roughly 1/2-inch pieces so they release juice quickly. Lightly crush the juniper berries with the back of a spoon or mortar and pestle to release their oils. Rinse bay leaves and pat dry.
- 2
Simmer the cordial
In a small saucepan combine the chopped pears, sugar and water. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the crushed juniper berries, bay leaves and whole allspice (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce heat so the mixture barely simmers and cook, stirring occasionally, for 12–15 minutes or until the pears are very soft and the liquid is aromatic and slightly syrupy.
- 3
Infuse and stabilize
Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice (this brightens flavor and preserves color). Cover the pan and let the mixture steep for 20–30 minutes so the bay leaf and juniper flavors meld without becoming bitter. Taste after 15 minutes and remove earlier if bay becomes too assertive.
- 4
Strain and concentrate
Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and set over a bowl. Pour the pear mixture through and press the solids gently with the back of a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard solids. If you prefer a clearer cordial, strain again through a fresh filter.
- 5
Finish and store
If you plan to keep the cordial more than a few days, stir in 2 tablespoons vodka or neutral spirit to help preserve it (optional). Allow the cordial to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate. Cordial will keep 1–2 weeks refrigerated (longer if you used spirit). Yield: about 6–8 ounces (enough for several cocktails).
Cocktail Assembly
- 6
Chill glass and prepare garnish
If you prefer a chilled cocktail, place your coupe or rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes. Thinly slice a pear or lemon wheel for garnish and set aside. Reserve a small bay leaf for garnish if desired.
- 7
Build the drink (short/sparkling option)
In a cocktail shaker add 1 oz pear bay leaf & juniper cordial, 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice and 1.5 oz gin. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or over fresh ice in a rocks glass. For a long/spritz style, pour the shaken mixture into a highball glass over ice and top with 2 oz club soda; give a gentle stir.
- 8
Garnish and serve
Garnish with a thin pear slice or lemon wheel and float a small bay leaf on top for aroma. Serve immediately.
- 9
Variations & notes
To make a non-alcoholic version, omit the gin and increase the cordial to 1.5–2 oz, top with sparkling water and a dash of non-alcoholic spirit if desired. Adjust cordial sweetness by reducing sugar to 3/4 cup for a less sweet cocktail. If juniper becomes too subtle, lightly muddle 1–2 extra berries in the shaker with the lemon juice before adding other ingredients.