Even though it’s still hot as Hades here in California, I am ready for fall. Right around this time of year, I start craving those warm, spicy flavors like cinnamon and clove partnered with apple or pear. While I love summer’s abundance and the amazing produce you find at the farmer’s market, fall and winter are easily my favorite seasons. Give me rain and cold winds over sweating in the sun any day.
To celebrate autumn’s imminent arrival, I wanted to make a cocktail that featured fresh pear and cinnamon. I personally think that pear is a vastly overlooked mixology component. This shy mistress tends to make the occasional appearance on cocktail menus around September or October, but I would like to make a push for year round inclusion on the chart of “Fruits to Use in Your Mixed Drink Creations.” Granted – we are smack dab at the beginning of pear’s favored season, so this declaration is a bit untimely. But I digress…
Anyhoooo… When I think of pear, I naturally associate this lovely temptress with ginger and citrus. Sooooo, what better way to incorporate all of these elements than in the trendiest of trendy cocktails – the Moscow Mule??!! A little muddle here, a good stir there, and top it all off with a generous dusting of freshly grated cinnamon. What do you have? A delicious autumn treat that you can’t help but make all throughout the season. Trust me – it’s pretty freakin’ amazing.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ pear, cored and sliced
- ½ lime, cut into quarters
- Ginger beer (I used Cock and Bull)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Garnish: slice of pear and 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- Glass: Copper mug or Collins glass
Instructions
- Place the pear and lime in your glass and vigorously muddle to create a pulpy mash.
- Add vodka.
- Fill your glass halfway with crushed ice and stir.
- Pour ginger beer into the glass and top with more crushed ice.
- Generously grate the cinnamon stick over the top of the cocktail.
- Garnish with a slice of pear and the cinnamon stick, if desired.
