Make the puree for this poached pear and gin cocktail the day before so your happy hour can be truly happy.

The delicate sweetness of pear juice is enhanced in a fool-proof simple syrup. Simple syrup is simply sugar and water. Many recipes call for one part sugar and one part water but I don’t like my cocktails to be extremely sweet. This recipe calls for less sugar and relies on the natural sweetness of the pear.

As for the pears, I like to use over ripe Boscs or Bartletts in a pinch. Bosc pears are usually thinner than the more common and plump Anjou pears. Bosc pears are usually light brown with textured skin. Use very ripe Bosc or Bartlett pears if you can and by poaching the pears in syrup you’ll preserve the flavor without adding too much sweetness.

Gin is a sweet liquor to begin with so I recommend using a more aromatic gin like Hendricks which will add herbal notes. Sometimes I find that too many herbal notes make a cocktail taste like a bubble bath, but you should be okay with this one. Plus, adding a lemon peel balances the sweetness and ads a pop of color.

Pear Gin Cocktail

Makes 4 cocktails

Ingredients

1 cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 Bosc pear
1 lemon
4 oz Hendricks Gin 

Directions 

Peel and slice the pear into small pieces. Add to a medium sauce pan with the water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a slight boil (about 5 minutes) and then simmer over low heat for 10 minutes to poach the pear.

Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and then puree in a blender or food processor.

Add 2 oz. pear puree and 1 oz gin to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for 20 seconds and pour into a champagne flute. Use a vegetable peeler to peel a 2 inch strip of lemon peel and add to each glass.

Note: this recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for more guests.

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Photo credit: Ally Jane Grossan

The post Delicious Gin Cocktail Recipe with Poached Pear Simple Syrup appeared first on EcoSalon.

Enjoy these easy to make DIY cocktail syrups. 

Warm afternoons and sparkling drinks; is there anything better than a summer cocktail? Well, maybe drinking a summer cocktail barefoot.

The trick of summer cocktails is, of course, a good syrup. Fortunately, simple syrup is exactly that: simple. Here are 10 DIY cocktail syrups that are sure to help with your cocktail making skills.

1. Basil Simple Syrup

Last summer I got obsessed with this blackberry basil drink. All you need is basil, blackberries a little sparkling water and the liquor of your choice. You can also use the syrup for a Meyer Lemon Martini or in a vodka gimlet.

2. Ginger Syrup

Ginger syrup is one of those cocktail syrups that anyone wanting to improve their basic bartending skills should always have on hand. You can keep things simple and do a whiskey ginger, or be extra creative and make a Kale Ginger Daiquiri. You can even use it for a delicious non-alcoholic homemade ginger ale.

3. Grenadine

Made from a base of pomegranate, grenadine is used in a variety of cocktails, from Planter’s Punch to Tequila Sunrise. Best to make a double batch.

4. Creme de Cassis

Love kir royales? They sound fancy, but if you master your own creme de cassis you can easily make them all summer long. The classic French liqueur is made from black currants, and if you’re ready to do some berry mashing, can be easily made at home.

5. Mint syrup

Hopefully you’re fortunate to have a mint plant in your home garden, and if you do, you may be wondering what to do with all those leaves. Mint syrup is your answer. Use it for any drink that calls for mint and sugar, like mojitos.

6. Vanilla Bean Syrup

Vanilla might not be your first choice for a cocktail syrup, but its smooth flavor pairs well with orange, raspberry and strawberries. Hello spiked summer fruit smoothies. You can also try this recipe for a Bourbon Rouge.

7. Rosemary Syrup

I find rosemary to be a nice addition to citrusy drinks, making rosemary syrup perfect for an adult version of lemonade.

8. Lavender Simple Syrup

Lavender isn’t as commonly used as rosemary, but it should be. A lavender simple syrup can be used in everything from lemonade to a French 75 to a Tom Collins.

9. Spicy Simple Syrup

A simple syrup infused with a hot habanero or jalapeno will give a kick to any drink. Use in anything with tequila.

10. Coffee Syrup

Just likes spices, coffee will certainly add an additional jolt to your drink. A strong coffee syrup, or even a homemade coffee bitter, can be used in a whiskey drink or with vodka for a coffee martini.

Images: hans peter meyer, dana robinson

The post 10 DIY Cocktail Syrups for Delicious Summer Drinking appeared first on EcoSalon.