Sean Norris ushers us into the holidays with spirit-warming seasonal cocktails
Photography by Heartbeat Branding Co.
Is it just me, or did sweater weather arrive in the blink of an eye? Suddenly, the chill is here, and it’s time to embrace all things cozy. While the swift shift in seasons might catch us by surprise, there’s no need to worry! As the temperatures drop, there’s a whole world of spirit-warming cocktails to explore. Let’s revisit a few comforting recipes that are perfect for gatherings with friends and family.
In the following recipes, we’ll be utilizing pears as a key ingredient in tandem with simple baking spices. The two flavors are a match made in heaven when combined. They’re also widely available (if not already in your kitchen)—and more importantly, in season! This means your fruit will be at its most flavorful, and that means fresher, tastier cocktails for you and your friends.
Efficiency is key when mixing for a group of friends. To be a good host, you want to be mingling with your guests. But if you’ve ever picked up the bartending duties, odds are, you’ve probably found yourself stuck behind the stick.
My advice: If you choose to forgo hiring a professional bartender, make a “punch.” One of my favorites is a Winter Sangria. Counterintuitive, I know. But don’t knock it ’til you try it! Most drinkers are accustomed to sangrias during warm weather, but you’ll find that with a thoughtful approach through the addition of alternative ingredients, you can enjoy a wonderful warming sangria in the colder months as well.
PREP TIME: 5 min
MIX TIME: 5 min
Ingredients
1 bottle White wine (Go light. Sauvignon Blanc is perfect!)
1½ cups Dehydrated pears
1/4 cup Brandy (Cognac)
4 oz Pear juice or nectar
1-2 Cinnamon sticks
2 oz Champagne
Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the Champagne in a pitcher and stir—no ice! Allow to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, and stir again. Transfer to the fridge to cool. This will take at least an hour. When cold, serve in a wine glass and top with a couple of ounces of the champagne. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a small grate of fresh nutmeg. Adjust sweetness to taste with simple syrup if necessary.
For those with a palate for dryer cocktails (like myself), a martini with pear brandy is a wonderful play on the classic gin or vodka martini. I find that most encounters with pear flavored spirits tend to be on the sweet side. Even when dry (like some pear vodkas), they tend to lack the depth and complexity of a spirit distilled directly from the fruit itself. This is what makes all brandy special, as all brandy is universally classified as a liquor distilled from wine, fruit mash, or fermentable fruit juice. Let’s play with the martini to make a variant you’ll be proud to show off this holiday season.
PREP TIME: 5 min
MIX TIME: 5 min
Ingredients
2.5 oz Pear brandy
¾ oz Lillet Blanc
½ oz Pear juice (optional)
Instructions
If you want the dryer refined version of this cocktail, omit the pear juice. If you prefer a touch of sweetness, add the pear juice. Your preference is above all! Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass and stir for 12 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a ripe pear. That was easy!
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