Winter Punch is a sweet and vibrant cocktail with pear and orange liqueur, pomegranate and orange juice. Make a single or enough to share for your next gathering! Disclosure: Many thanks to Dreyfus Ashby for sending a bottle of Golden Eight Pear Liquor by Massenez. All opinions are my own.
The liquor store can be an intimidating place. I’m amazed at the dizzying array of alcohol; the varieties are endless. It’s sometimes hard to know what to try and how to mix it.
I often find myself Googling, attempting to learn how to use one of the many flavors and types of vodka or figuring out what the smoothest tequila is. This takes way too much time, and I’m easily distracted by another pretty bottle or a new wine to try.
Years ago, I received the book Drinkology, a gift in support of my efforts to become a better home bartender. For a novice like me, it was a bit overwhelming, and still is somewhat. The book includes what beverages belong in what type of glassware, basics for setting up a decent home bar, tools of the trade and is organized in spirits based sections. It’s become an essential reference tool when I have an idea or am feeling pretty clueless about a mixer. I need to start hauling it to the liquor store with me.
For some time, I got stuck in a rut of mixing the same cocktail, The Cosmopolitan. It’s good, right? And a girl’s gotta have a quick and easy cocktail she can whip up quick. But a few years ago I started breaking out of that rut and trying new to me mixers, with the help of that trusty old book and bloggers I follow. I got bold when we’d go out, asking the bartender to surprise me. Always an adventure ;).
Since, a few new-to-me I’ve made include Bourbon Apple Cider Shrub, Peach Smash, Orange Drop and a mixer my big sister shared with me, aptly named The Big Sister. One of my most popular drink recipes.
Oh, and that sipper my Mamaw would be proud of, Mamaw’s Holiday Coffee.
Being a hound for new cocktail recipes, I’m always on the lookout.
So when I spied a recipe in the newspaper calling for pear liqueur, of which I had never heard, I got busy looking for it. I looked high and low on our Island home, making phone calls, and asking store clerks to help. I had no success. I was deflated, but realize this is part of living on an island. Things are simpler and not always well-stocked.
I forgot about it for a while, then went on the hunt again.
I finally located a bottle of pear liqueur, and yes, it’s as sublime as I imagined; sweet with rich notes of caramelized pear and vanilla. I’ve more plans for this liqueur.
In this recipe, I’ve paired pear liqueur with orange, pomegranate and a bit of vodka. It’s a sweet-tart cocktail, to be enjoyed slowly. I absolutely love its color.
Make a single or a larger batch to share. I’ve included recipes for both.
I’m curious to know if you have a book for referencing cocktail recipes that you’d recommend? Please share below!
Much love and peace to you and yours this holiday season!
the recipe
Winter Punch
Ingredients
For One Serving:
- 1/2 oz (14g) Vodka
- 3/4 oz (21g) Cointreau
- 3/4 oz (21g) Pear Liquor
- 2 oz (56g) Pomegranate Juice
- 1 oz (28g) Orange Juice, fresh squeezed
- Orange twist and/or pomegranate arils for garnish
For Six Servings:
- 3 oz (84g) Vodka
- 4 1/2 oz (126g) Cointreau
- 4 1/2 oz (126g) Pear Liqueur
- 12 oz (336g) Pomegranate Juice
- 6 oz (168g) Orange Juice, fresh squeezed
- Orange twist and/or pomegranate arils for garnish
Instructions
For One:
- To a cocktail shaker, add all the ingredients, a handful of ice, stir or shake, then strain into a martini or coupe glass. If a clear cocktail is preferred, strain through a fine mesh strainer. Garnish with an orange twist and/or pomegranate arils.
For Six:
- To a large ball jar or measuring container, add all the ingredients with two handfulls of ice. Stir, then strain into a pitcher. If a clear cocktail is preferred, strain through a fine mesh strainer. Garnish with orange twists and/or pomegranate arils.
