Cinnamon Spiced Pear and Vodka Cocktail

Fall drinks don’t have to be all about pumpkin spice and apple cider. Don’t get me wrong, I love those flavors, but sometimes I want something a little different when the weather gets cool. That’s where pears come in. They’re sweet, they pair well with warm spices, and they make cocktails that actually taste like fall.

I started making this spiced pear and vodka cocktail last year when I had a bunch of pears sitting on my counter getting soft. Instead of letting them go to waste, I decided to muddle them up with some cinnamon and ginger. The vodka keeps it smooth, and the spices make it feel cozy without being too heavy.

Want something fruity that’s not too sweet? This is your drink. Looking for a cocktail that feels fancy but doesn’t require a trip to three different stores for ingredients? Same. I keep the spices simple so you can make this with what’s probably already in your pantry.

What Kind of Vodka Should I Use?

For this spiced pear cocktail, you don’t need to break the bank on premium vodka, but you’ll want something smooth and clean-tasting. A mid-range vodka works perfectly since the pear juice and spices will complement the spirit without masking it completely. If you have a favorite vodka that you enjoy drinking neat or on the rocks, that’s probably your best bet here. Avoid anything too harsh or with strong flavors that might compete with the delicate pear and warm spices – you want the vodka to provide a clean base that lets the fruit and cinnamon shine through.

Options for Substitutions

This cocktail is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps, so here’s what you can try:

• Vodka: If you’re out of vodka, try gin for a more botanical flavor or white rum for a slightly sweeter profile. Both work great with the pear and spice combination.
• Fresh pear juice: No fresh pear juice? You can use bottled pear nectar (just reduce it to ½ oz since it’s sweeter) or muddle 2-3 ripe pear slices right in your shaker.
• Cinnamon simple syrup: Regular simple syrup plus a pinch of ground cinnamon works in a pinch. You could also try maple syrup (use just ¼ oz) or honey syrup for a different sweet note.
• Ginger beer: Ginger ale can substitute if that’s what you have, though you’ll get less spicy kick. For more heat, try adding a small piece of fresh ginger to your shaker.
• Fresh lemon juice: Lime juice works just as well for that citrus brightness, or you can use bottled lemon juice if fresh isn’t available.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making this spiced pear cocktail is using store-bought pear juice instead of fresh – bottled versions are often too sweet and lack the crisp, natural flavor that makes this drink shine.

Another common error is adding the ginger beer too early or shaking it with the other ingredients, which kills the fizz and leaves you with a flat cocktail instead of the bubbly finish you want.

To get the best flavor balance, make sure your cinnamon simple syrup has cooled completely before mixing, and don’t skip straining the fresh pear juice since pulp can make the drink gritty.

For the perfect serve, add the ginger beer last with a gentle stir, and if you can’t find fresh pears, try muddling a few pear slices right in the shaker as a backup option.

What to Serve With Spiced Pear and Vodka Cocktail?

This spiced pear cocktail pairs beautifully with fall appetizers like baked brie with honey and walnuts, or a simple charcuterie board loaded with aged cheeses and dried fruits. The warm spices in the drink complement rich, savory bites really well, so consider serving it alongside bacon-wrapped dates or roasted nuts with a touch of cinnamon. For something lighter, try pairing it with apple slices and sharp cheddar, or even some spiced popcorn for a casual get-together. The ginger and pear flavors also work great with Asian-inspired appetizers like pork dumplings or chicken satay skewers.

Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: You can prep the pear juice and cinnamon simple syrup up to 3 days ahead and store them in the fridge. This actually makes cocktail hour so much easier when you have guests over! Just keep them in separate airtight containers and give the pear juice a quick stir before using since it might separate a bit.

Batch Prep: For parties, I like to mix the vodka, pear juice, lemon juice, and cinnamon syrup together in a pitcher and keep it chilled. Then you just add the ginger beer right before serving so it stays fizzy. This mixture will keep in the fridge for about 24 hours.

Fresh is Best: This cocktail is definitely best enjoyed right after mixing since the ginger beer will lose its sparkle over time. If you do have leftover mixed cocktail without the ginger beer, you can store it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days and just top with fresh ginger beer when ready to drink.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 120-150
• Protein: 0-1 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 15-22 g

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz ginger beer (such as Fever-Tree Premium Ginger Beer)
• 0.75 oz pear juice
• 0.25 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed for best flavor)
• 0.5 oz cinnamon simple syrup

Step 1: Combine Cocktail Ingredients in Shaker

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 3/4 oz pear juice, freshly pressed
• 1/4 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1/2 oz cinnamon-infused simple syrup

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add the vodka, freshly pressed pear juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and cinnamon-infused simple syrup to the shaker.

Step 2: Shake the Cocktail

Shake the mixture vigorously for about 15-20 seconds to chill and combine all the flavors.

I always find that giving it a solid shake really brings out the brightness of the juice and syrup.

Step 3: Strain and Serve

Strain the shaken cocktail into a lowball glass to remove the ice and any pulp, creating a smooth base for the drink.

Step 4: Top with Ginger Beer

• 1 oz ginger beer

Top off the strained cocktail in the lowball glass with ginger beer to add a touch of effervescence and spice.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Garnish the cocktail with a dehydrated pear or a fresh pear slice, if desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy!