Skip to main content

A Perfect Pear

2.7

(3)

Pear mocktail in a glass topped with sparking water.
Photo by Jennifer Chong

My love for herbs knows no bounds. They are an easy way to elevate any drink and add a fresh element to balance both sweet and tart flavors. And this mocktail is no different. The rosemary and pear form the perfect marriage of flavors and give this fall-appropriate lemonade a major upgrade.

This recipe is excerpted from ‘Free Spirit Cocktails: 40 Nonalcoholic Drink Recipes’ by Camille Wilson. Buy the full book on Amazon.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

Rosemary Syrup

4 rosemary sprigs
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1 cup (240 ml) water

Cocktail

½ pear, cored and diced
1½ oz (45 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 oz (30 ml) Rosemary Syrup
3 oz (90 ml) sparkling water

Preparation

  1. Rosemary Syrup

    Step 1

    Remove the rosemary leaves from the sprigs, discarding the stems. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Once boiling, add the rosemary leaves, turn down the heat, and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let steep, covered, for 30 minutes.

    Step 2

    Using a strainer, strain the mixture into a resealable container, discarding the solids. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

  2. Cocktail

    Step 3

    In a blender, combine the pear and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Add the mixture to a highball glass. Add the rosemary syrup and ice and stir to combine. Top with the sparkling water and serve.

Image may contain: Drink, Juice, Beverage, Plant, Fruit, Food, Cocktail, and Alcohol
Reprinted from Free Spirit Cocktails: 40 Nonalcoholic Drink Recipes by Camille Wilson, with permission from Chronicle Books, 2022. Photographs © Jennifer Chong. Buy the book from Amazon or Chronicle Books.
Read More
Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.
The kimchi brine is the secret hero here; just a splash of it brightens the cocktail while deepening it with a little funky je ne sais quoi.
Gourmet’s version of this perfect summer drink mixes the ideal ratio of vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juices, right in the glass.
Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.
We don’t bake with grapes as often as we should. But even the most average supermarket varieties come alive when roasted with a bit of sugar and seasoning.
Originally called omelette à la neige (snow omelet) in reference to the fluffy snow-like appearance of the meringue, île flottante (floating island) has a lengthy history that dates back to the 17th century.
This Campari-spiked galette features the herbal aperitif, tart cherries, and floral citrus zest and is perfect for those who prefer bitter to sweet.
With elderflower liqueur, mint, and prosecco, the effervescent Hugo spritz cocktail is a hit year round, but particularly on warm nights.