Looking for a pretty cocktail recipe filled with delicious juicy pears and vanilla bean? If you thought YES then this Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz cocktail is the perfect recipe for you. A homemade pear and vanilla simple syrup combined with gin and soda water make this easy cocktail perfectly sweet, gorgeous, and refreshing!
How to make a pear vanilla gin cocktail
If you loved my Apple Thyme Bourbon Smash you will love this gorgeous cocktail recipe! Not to mention, the steps to make this cocktail recipe couldn't be easier.
Make the pear syrup recipe
As a first step, finely dice the pears and set them aside.
Once the pears are chopped, add them to a small saucepan with water, sugar, and vanilla syrup.
After everything is in the pan, bring the contents of the pan to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook 5-8 minutes until the liquid is amber in color and the pears and beginning to break down. To finish, remove the mixture from the heat and strain- pressing out all the liquid from the pear puree solids.
The syrup that is strained out will be the pear cocktail syrup used in this recipe!
Assemble the gin fizz cocktail
Now that the pear vanilla syrup is ready to go, this cocktail recipe is super simple to whip up.
Add 1.5 oz of Gin (about 40 ml or 3 Tbsp) and 2 tablespoon of pear syrup to each glass and whisk together. Then, top with ¾ cup of soda water. To finish making the pear vanilla gin fizz, just add ice!
As a final garnish, I like to add a very thinly sliced pear slice and a vanilla sugar rim to my cocktail glass for a little extra pizazz.
How to make a vanilla bean sugar rim
To really bring this gin fizz cocktail recipe to the next level, make a vanilla bean sugar rim for each glass!
To make a vanilla sugar rim for cocktails, fill one shallow plate with water and one shallow plate with a mixture of vanilla bean powder (or fresh vanilla) and sugar.
Quickly dip the rim of the cocktail glass into the plate with water. Then, dip the same glass into the plate with the vanilla sugar and twist until the glass is coated in sugar. Remove the sugar-coated glass and let it sit for at least 5 minutes to firm up before pouring any liquid into the glass.
FAQ & Tips:
What Vanilla Syrup Should I Use?
For this recipe, I used Heilala Vanilla Syrup which is my absolute FAVORITE vanilla brand. Another vanilla syrup option could be Torani Vanilla Syrup.
Vanilla syrup is much thicker than homemade simple syrup, so I like buying a store-bought version for this recipe. If you would rather make it at home, here is a great recipe for Homemade Vanilla Syrup.
What pear variety works best for this gin fizz?
Bartlett pears or Anjou pears tend to work best as they will break down and don't maintain their shape when cooked. I would avoid making the pear syrup with bosc pears as they hold their shape and won't break down as much during cooking (leading to less pear flavor in the syrup).
It's ideal for the pears to break down so the flavor really seeps into the pear syrup for this cocktail.
Can I make this pear gin cocktail ahead of time?
If you are preparing this cocktail for a party, make the pear syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It should keep up to 1 week. However, I don't recommend adding soda water or ice to the cocktail until it is ready to be enjoyed. These cocktails are better served by the glass than in a large pitcher!
What Do I do with the leftover cooked pears?
Believe it or not, you can save and eat the leftover pear puree solids after straining out the syrup. While I don't recommend using them in this cocktail (as you don't want it to be chunky), I actually used them as a sweet topping with my Maple Almond Granola on my morning yogurt bowl and LOVED it!
Can this pear cocktail be made vegan?
Yes, this cocktail is easily made vegan! This gin fizz is made with no eggs, no dairy, and if you use organic sugar it's completely vegan too. For organic vegan sugar, I LOVE using Wholesome sugar in my recipes.
This pear vanilla cocktail recipe is truly SO refreshing! It's a twist on a classic gin and tonic and will be sure to WOW your guests at any gathering or party.
Plus, it makes a fun date-night-in drink. We aren't big drinkers over here, but this is one cocktail my boyfriend and I definitely make an exception for. I hope you love this Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz cocktail!
-TSG
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Pear Vanilla Gin Fizz
Ingredients
Pear Vanilla Syrup:
- 1 cup finely chopped/blended pears bartlett pears work best
- ½ cup organic sugar
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup vanilla syrup
To Make One Cocktail:
- 1 ½ oz Gin about 3 Tbsp
- 2 tablespoon pear purée syrup
- ¾ cup soda water
- Crushed ice to top
Instructions
- Begin by finely chopping or blending your pears. Then add the pears, sugar, water, and vanilla syrup to a small saucepan and place over medium heat.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook about 5-8 minutes until the liquid becomes an amber color and the pears are breaking down. Stir frequently while the pears are cooking to evenly cook.
- Remove the pear puree from the heat and strain the syrup into a container.Use a spoon to press any remaining liquid out of the pear solids.
- Discard the pear solids and use only the strained syrup for the cocktail recipe. Alternatively, you can blend up the pear solids into a puree and use them in the cocktail for a stronger pear flavor. Then, let the syrup cool to room temperature before using.
- To make a cocktail add 1.5 oz of gin and 2 tablespoon of pear vanilla syrup to an 8 oz glass and whisk together. Next, add ¾ cup soda water to the glass. To finish, add ice to top and stir. A rim of sugar and vanilla bean around the glass makes a great addition to this drink. Enjoy!
Notes
- Another vanilla syrup option could be Torani Vanilla Syrup.
- Pear Solids can be thrown out or saved to be used as a topping for ice cream, yogurt bowls, or just to eat as a sweet dessert. You can also blend them up and use them in the cocktail for a stronger pear flavor.
- The cocktail is best enjoyed the day you make it, though the syrup can be stored in a closed container in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- To make a vanilla sugar rim for cocktails, fill one shallow plate with water and one shallow plate with a mixture of vanilla bean powder (or fresh vanilla) and sugar. Quickly dip the rim of the cocktail glass into the plate with water. Then, dip the same glass into the plate with the vanilla sugar and twist until the glass is coated in sugar. Remove the sugar-coated glass and let it sit for at least 5 minutes to firm up before pouring any liquid into the glass.
Payton says
Is this possible to substitute sugar free syrup? Just looking for a lower carb option!
Megan says
I've never tried it but maybe!
Cindy says
Hi, This recipe sounds delicious! I just made the simple syrup and will let it cool in the refrigerator before using it.
I’m glad I read the other comments as I think I will try your idea of infusing a fresh pear in the gin ahead of time.
My question is, what is the ratio of sugar to vanilla bean powder do you recommend for the glass rim when putting together the drink?
Thanks, Cindy
Megan says
Hi! I usually wing it with the rim so I don't have an exact ratio, but I would say it's probably 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder for a few tablespoons of sugar (like 2-4). Hope that helps!
Michelle says
Can you use simple syrup and mix in pure vanilla extra? 🤔
Megan says
maybe! I still recommend making a vanilla syrup as it's a lot more flavorful/thick but it could work.
Hannah says
Can I use canned pears? It's difficult to find the specific type of pears here.
Megan says
I haven't tried it, but if you strain out the syrup they're in and buy unsweetened canned pears it could work- I think sweetened may make the cocktail too sweet.
Mary Ann says
What type of soda water do you recommend?
Megan says
I honestly don't have a brand preference with soda water, I just use the grocery store labeled brands.
Sigrid says
The syrup is delicious; can't wait to try it in a cocktail. I did alter it a bit by adding some slices of crushed ginger (about a1"piece in total) to simmer with all the other ingredients. I also added a splash of fresh squeezed lemon juice to the strained liquid to brighten the flavors a bit.
Marta says
I just tried the variation of this recipe and found it to be a little bland without acidity. Next time will add a bit of lemon juice, as you suggest! Thx!
Angela Richter says
This cocktail is a TEN! It is crisp, light, refreshing and just the right amount of sweet. It is easy to make , but involved enough where it feels special. 🤩
Megan says
Thank you for the review, I'm so so happy you liked it!
Kaitlyn says
Have you ever tried substituting the Gin for something else like Vodka? Just wondering how much the liquor changes the flavor, not a big gin lover over here and really want to this this recipe!
Megan says
I personally haven't but I think others have! It would definitely change the flavor a lot, but I think it would still be good. Let me know if you try it 🙂
Chelsey says
What gin do you use? I didn't see a preferred one listed. Thanks!
Megan says
I used Malfy Gin, but any Gin works! I think it's best to make sure you like the Gin flavor as they can vary quite a bit.
Suzco says
Can the pear vanilla syrup be frozen for later use?
Megan Horowitch says
Yes it can- it should keep about 1-2 months. If freezing, I recommend pouring into a silicone ice cube tray, freezing, then popping out and storing in a closed container. Otherwise it's pretty hard to remove a frozen liquid. Hope that helps!
Sofia nilsson says
This sounds so good and I will serve it this weekend for pre dinner cocktails. Just wondering how much pear is in the syrap? I know you have written in cups, but I need to know in gram, here in Sweden we don't really work with cups and it's hard to guess when I'm at the store how many pears I should by to get enough. Many thanks!!!
Megan Horowitch says
Unfortunately I haven't measured this recipe in grams yet so I'm not sure the amount- I'd say you don't need more than 2 medium pears for the recipe though 🙂
kimmberleigh says
The pear vanilla syrup calls for 4 ingredients, the last being 1/4 c of vanilla syrup....I've never seen this can you please suggest one for this recipe?
Thank you
Megan Horowitch says
I linked the syrup I used in the post- it's Heilala Vanilla's Syrup- here's the link! https://amzn.to/34anlGr. I think Torani has a vanilla simple syrup too that I've used before and I also included a link in the post to a homemade vanilla syrup recipe you can check out if that's easier. Hope that helps!
Rosy Lush says
Does the kind of pear matter? Any gin recommendations? Botanist I think would work well.
Megan Horowitch says
Hi! In the recipe it mentions bartlett pears work best, so you'll want to use a pear that breaks down easier during cooking. I don't recommend bosc pears. Any gin works with this recipe though- Botanist sounds great!
Julia says
I wanted to love this cocktail so much, it sounded delicious but it came out awful :*(. I suspect something went wrong with the syrup. I didn't have vanilla syrup to begin with so I tried to make my own pear/vanilla syrup, using a recipe for simple syrup, adding a vanilla pod and pears. It came out ok, but the pear taste was not really there. When added to the cocktail it just made the whole drink a bit 'stale sweet' with a lingering aftertaste. I was so disappointed :'(
Megan Horowitch says
I'm so sorry it didn't turn out well! I truly hope you can find a cocktail recipe that's a better fit for you on the blog 🙂
Jules says
We too wanted to love this cocktail with our Thanksgiving dinner. We even added the pear purée to the drink but there was no hint of pear no matter how much we played with the ratios. The vanilla syrup over-powered the drink, no pear flavor. I think I will continue to play with the spirit of the recipe and may try pear nectar instead of simple syrup.
ShortGirlTallOrder says
Glad you liked it Nina! If you want more pear taste you can add in the pear solids from the cocktail or soak the gin with pear for a few days before.
Nina says
I am interested in tweaking this recipe to really concentrate the pear flavoring— none the less I loved it! Such a fun and light drink, making this recipe killed an entire evening of quarantine <3 grateful for your creativity!
ShortGirlTallOrder says
Thank you!!
Jacob says
This drink is honestly the best one I've had in a long time! The mix of the sweet pear with vanilla is such a great combo!
Heather says
Do you happen to know how long the syrup will keep?
ShortGirlTallOrder says
Hi! It should keep up to 1 week in the fridge but is likely best within 2-3 days 🙂