The pear is prickly and the smoky flavor comes from mezcal. Mmmmm. Cheers, dears!
The Occasion: This delightful adult beverage would be perfect for any occasion with the craft cocktail connoisseurs in your life. Something where you want to fiddle with 'off the beaten path' ingredients and show off just a little bit.
Our occasion was one of our Foodie Group dinners held a few months ago. The theme was Desert Flora and Fauna, so the prickly pear syrup in our drink fit the bill marvelously. Your blogger will not be documenting that meal as too much time has passed, but it lives on in fond memory especially when raising a glass of Smokey and the Pear. Salut!
Our occasion was one of our Foodie Group dinners held a few months ago. The theme was Desert Flora and Fauna, so the prickly pear syrup in our drink fit the bill marvelously. Your blogger will not be documenting that meal as too much time has passed, but it lives on in fond memory especially when raising a glass of Smokey and the Pear. Salut!
What Makes it Special? Homemade prickly pear syrup is one special ingredient, and smoky mezcal is another.
Bar Chef Ilise also used orange vincotto in place of bitters (easily swappable if necessary); this is a reduction of non-fermented grapes. Together they create a flavor that is deep, dark, tangy, and refreshing.
Hard to describe but oh so easy to keep on a-sippin'.
Bar Chef Ilise also used orange vincotto in place of bitters (easily swappable if necessary); this is a reduction of non-fermented grapes. Together they create a flavor that is deep, dark, tangy, and refreshing.
Hard to describe but oh so easy to keep on a-sippin'.
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The Playlist: Pear, bear. Tomayto, tomahto. However you choose to say it or play it, please enjoy this fun little ditty by America's favorite singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
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This Is How We Do It: First, make the prickly pear simple syrup. Click on the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
As an optional but decidedly festive touch, you can make garnishes in advance -- essentially candied fruit slices. Click on the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
Now it's finally time to make the cocktail. Click on the photos to enlarge them and read the captions.
The Verdict: OMG you need one now! Maybe two. Yes, it’s that good.
| Print the Recipe- Smokey and the Pear Cocktail |
Smokey and the Pear Cocktail
Recipe source: Ilise Goldberg
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
* Prickly Pear or Xoconostle Simple Syrup
Note: Xoconostle is a specific type of prickly pear
Combine the water and sugar in a pan over high heat and cook until the sugar dissolves. Add the prickly pear or Xoconostle chunks and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 15 -20 minutes until fruit is soft. Once the fruit is nice and tender use a potato masher and mash the fruit to release as much juice as possible.
Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool. Strain the syrup into a container and use cheese cloth with the remaining fruit to squeeze out as much juice as possible. Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. If making far in advance the simple syrup freezes well.
Recipe source: Ilise Goldberg
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 oz Mezcal
- ½ oz Tequila
- ½ oz Orange Liqueur such as Cointreau
- 1½ oz Prickly Pear or Xoconostle simple syrup*
- ½ oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- ¼ Teaspoon Orange Vincotto (if you can’t find this use a couple of drops of orange bitters)
DIRECTIONS:
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker and then add mezcal, tequila, Cointreau, prickly pear simple syrup, lime juice and orange Vincotto. Shake to blend.
- Pour the beverage over a couple of solid ice cubes in a rocks glass and garnish with fresh or candied prickly pear.
* Prickly Pear or Xoconostle Simple Syrup
Note: Xoconostle is a specific type of prickly pear
- 1 pound of prickly pears or xoconostles (a species of prickly pear), cut into cubes
- 1 cup of water
- ½ cup of sugar (if using a sweeter variety of prickly pear, you may not need as much sugar)
Combine the water and sugar in a pan over high heat and cook until the sugar dissolves. Add the prickly pear or Xoconostle chunks and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for 15 -20 minutes until fruit is soft. Once the fruit is nice and tender use a potato masher and mash the fruit to release as much juice as possible.
Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool. Strain the syrup into a container and use cheese cloth with the remaining fruit to squeeze out as much juice as possible. Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. If making far in advance the simple syrup freezes well.
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