Cocktail of the Week: Pear Sunrise

Summer is all about cool, refreshing cocktails. And with the help of chilled, tender pears, you can easily create a drink that’s elegant and tasty enough conquer any lingering thirst. Pears are the perfect seasonal fruit as their soft flesh is crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy cravings that can put bikinis at risk. This fruit can also add a delicate fragrance to a highly alcoholic beverage, giving it a touch of class with little effort. When it comes to preparing cocktails, pears can transform a lifeless drink into a velvety, luscious concoction. However, not all drinks can benefit from this delectable fruit. Using pears at the wrong time can cause over muddling, resulting in other ingredients to clash. Therefore, how can we incorporate them into a sophisticated number for the steamy season? The answer lies in one of New York City’s classic watering holes.

The Pear Sunrise, created by Mixologist Elayne Duke, is one of the best pear-themed drinks. Served in Smith’s, a tiny, concealed bar located in Manhattan’s swanky SoHo neighborhood, the Pear Sunrise awakens spirits with thick, delightfully sweet nectar that can be eaten with a spoon. This slightly grainy juice is then combine with handcrafted tequila for a smooth body, lemons for a zesty finish, and a hint of honey syrup to balance out all the drink’s complexities. Give the apple martinis a rest this evening and go for a Pear Sunrise, the one drink that’ll keep you satisfied from happy hour all the way to your next sunshine-filled morning.

Pear Sunrise Recipe

Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. Tequila (We used Don Julio Blanco)
½ oz. Pear nectar
¾ oz. Lemon juice
1 Tbsp. Honey syrup

Preparation:
Combine tequila, pear nectar, lemon juice, and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled flute and serve.