Woodford Reserve Bourbon Ginger Pear Cocktail
Fruity and slightly sweet, this ginger and pear cocktail is warming and ever-so-slightly spicy. Plus, Woodford Reserve’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey makes everything better. You really can’t go wrong with a good bourbon cocktail! It’s just cozy. And who doesn’t love cozy?
Woodford Reserve’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey: a DiSomma Family Favorite
What makes a cocktail good? Partially the combination of ingredients—just like in cooking. And like baking, a technique often makes a bit of a difference. A huge component that often gets overlooked? High-quality spirits.
When I put together a nice meal, I love a good cocktail in lieu of (and sometimes in addition to) dessert. This time of year, I enjoy ample opportunities to pour one of my favorite high quality ingredients ever: Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. It is SO good!
This amber-colored whiskey is a family favorite. First of all, it’s super fragrant. It smells like subtle vanilla, rich dried fruit, and fresh orange spice. And when you take a sip, the flavor does not disappoint—notes of citrus, cinnamon, toffee, and caramel make it the perfect spirit for a (cold) warm-you-up kind of drink. Did I mention how smooth it is? Oh, and it pairs perfectly with the spice of the ginger and the sweetness of the pear in this cocktail!
Pro tips: How to Peel Fresh Ginger
My homemade ginger honey simple syrup makes this drink even cozier. Before I start making it, I like to peel my ginger. You can eat the peels if it’s organic, but I find the flavor to be more delicious when the ginger is peeled. Here’s an easy way to peel it: Hold the ginger root in your hand and scrape the peel off using one edge of the back side of a spoon. Easy!
Notes on the syrup: You’ll have more ginger honey simple syrup than you need, but it keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I like to use my leftover syrup in hot tea (or iced, for the odd warm fall day).
Ginger Pear Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- One 1-inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 ounces Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 2 ounces of pear nectar
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1-ounce ginger honey simple syrup
- Ice
- Ginger Ale, to taste
- Thinly sliced fresh pear
- Crystalized ginger
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, water, and fresh sliced ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring now and then, until the honey is completely dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and cover the pot. Let steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the syrup, discarding the ginger pieces. Cool completely, then store in the refrigerator until ready to use. You will have more simple syrup than you need, but it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, pear juice, lemon juice, the ounce of simple syrup, and ice. Vigorously shake until the mixture is chilled.
- Pour over ice in a rocks glass and top with ginger ale to taste. Garnish with a pear slice and a few pieces of crystallized ginger on a skewer.