I am a pretty big fan of mules (the cocktail, although owning a mini pony is definitely on my bucket list). I love the spiciness of the ginger, and I think they are the perfect vehicle to get creative and add various other flavors. This week I made a Spiced Pear Gin Mule and thought it was a great Fall cocktail to share with you guys!
After the baby goes to sleep, I love getting under my most comfortable throw blanket and enjoying a mule out of a traditional Moscow Mule mug. It’s something about the copper that helps complete my relaxing Fall evening. Of course you can enjoy this cocktail with traditional vodka, but if you follow my cocktail recipes you’ve probably seen that I’m a little more partial to gin.
I was worried when experimenting with this drink that it would be difficult to make the pear shine against the power of the ginger. But creating pear simple syrup using pear juice infused with fresh pear did the job, and hints of pear were evident on every sip. I love the Fall/Holiday-inspired spices that were added to the syrup. I used cinnamon, star anise and cardamom, but you can spice up your pear simple syrup with complementing spices that you love.
I hope you guys enjoy this drink. It’s very simple to make but puts a unique spin on the traditional Gin or Moscow Mule and is sure to help elevate your Fall festivities (or relax you at the end of the day under your favorite comfy blanket)! Have a wonderful weekend friends!
Spiced Pear Gin Mule (makes 2 cocktails) Recipe inspired by Jelly Toast and Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Ingredients
Spiced Pear Simple Syrup:
1 cup pear juice (Can be found at Whole Foods)
1 cup sugar
3 star anise (Can be found at Whole Foods)
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole cardamom pods (I found mine at Whole Foods in the International section)
1 pear, peeled, cored and cut into pieces
Cocktail:
4 oz Gin (My current favorite)
4 oz spiced pear simple syrup
2 oz fresh lemon juice
Ginger beer (This one is THE BEST!)
Pear wedge & star anise for garnish
Instructions
1. To make syrup, combine pear juice and sugar in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat, add star anise, cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods and chopped pear. Stir then allow to cool to room temperature and strain. Simple syrup can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 month.
2. To construct the cocktail add 2 oz gin, 2 oz spiced pear simple syrup and 1 oz lemon juice to each mug and stir well. Add ice then top each mug with ginger beer. Garnish mug with pear wedge and throw in a few star anise.
Cheers!