Tulo

Spiced Pear Bourbon Smash Recipe

A rocks glass filled with crushed ice and an amber bourbon cocktail, garnished with a thin pear slice, a fresh sage leaf, and a dusting of ground cinnamon on a dark wood bar top.

Muddled fresh pear brings natural sweetness and body without relying on a heavy pour of syrup, while a short-steeped cinnamon-clove syrup and bruised sage add warmth and an herbal edge that fresher, more restrained cocktails are leaning on right now. Double-straining over crushed ice keeps the drink clear and cold without watering it down before it's finished.

Prep
15 min
Cook
5 min
Total
20 min
Servings
1

Ingredients

Servings1
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1/2 medium pear ripe pear, diced
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz cinnamon-clove simple syrup, cooled
  • 3 leaves fresh sage leaves
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 oz club soda
  • 1 cup crushed ice, for serving

Nutrition per serving

Calories
226
Protein
0g
Carbs
25g
Fat
0g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

  1. 1Make the spiced syrup at least an hour before serving: combine 1 cup water, 1 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 whole cloves in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes. Strain out the solids and cool completely (this makes about 1 1/4 cups, enough for roughly 12 drinks, and keeps refrigerated for 2 weeks).
  2. 2In a cocktail shaker, combine the diced pear, sage leaves, and 0.75 oz of the cooled spiced syrup. Muddle firmly for about 15 seconds to release the pear's juice and bruise the sage without shredding it.
  3. 3Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels ice-cold.
  4. 4Fill a rocks glass with fresh crushed ice. Double-strain the shaker contents over the ice through a fine mesh strainer to catch the muddled pear and sage.
  5. 5Top with a short splash of club soda, then garnish with a thin pear slice, a fresh sage leaf, and a light dusting of ground cinnamon.

Tips & variations

  • Swap the pear for a crisp apple in the fall, or use frozen peach chunks in summer, the muddling technique works the same across fruits.
  • For a lower-ABV version, cut the bourbon to 1 oz and top with an extra ounce of club soda.
  • To batch for a party, multiply the bourbon, lemon juice, and syrup by the guest count and refrigerate the mixed base for up to 3 days; shake individual portions with fresh ice to order.
  • For a non-alcoholic version, replace the bourbon with strong cold black tea and add an extra 0.25 oz lemon juice to compensate for the lost backbone.

Storage & reheating

This cocktail is meant to be shaken and served immediately; it separates and loses its chill within about 15 minutes. The spiced syrup, however, keeps well: store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze it in an ice cube tray for up to 3 months and thaw single portions as needed.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Freeze leftover diced pear in a single layer on a tray, then use frozen pieces straight in the muddle for a colder, slightly frothier drink.
  • Crush ice at home by sealing cubes in a zip-top bag and hitting them with a rolling pin, it doesn't need to be uniform, just small enough to pack the glass.

FAQ

Can I use a different whiskey instead of bourbon?

Rye works well and adds a spicier, drier edge that plays nicely with the cinnamon and clove; a blended Scotch will change the flavor significantly and isn't recommended for this build.

What can I substitute for Angostura bitters?

Orange bitters or a cardamom bitters both work; either adds aromatic lift without clashing with the pear and spice.

Why double-strain instead of just straining once?

A single strain lets small bits of muddled pear and torn sage through, which cloud the drink and clog a straw; a fine mesh strainer catches those fragments for a cleaner glass.

Can I make this without a cocktail shaker?

Yes, muddle directly in a sturdy glass, then stir vigorously with ice for about 30 seconds before straining, it won't aerate quite as much but chills and dilutes the drink almost as well.

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