Description
The Chinese New Year Asian Pear Cocktail is a refreshing and elegant drink that combines the crisp sweetness of Asian pears with aromatic spices and a splash of rice wine or sake. Perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations, this cocktail offers a balanced taste of sweet, tart, and aromatic notes, customizable as a boozy or non-alcoholic beverage to elevate your festivities with a fresh, vibrant twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 Asian pear (washed, cored, thinly sliced)
- 2 oz rice wine or sake (or extra sparkling water for non-alcoholic version)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey or simple syrup
- 3 oz soda water or sparkling water
- 1 inch fresh ginger (sliced)
Optional Spices and Garnishes
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 star anise pod
- Thin slice of Asian pear for garnish
- Fresh mint sprigs or basil leaves (for herbal twist)
- Slice of orange or mandarin (for citrus boost)
Instructions
- Prepare the Asian Pear: Wash, core, and thinly slice the Asian pear. For a smoother texture, blend a portion of the slices into fresh pear juice to use as the cocktail base.
- Make the Ginger-Infused Syrup: In a small saucepan, simmer equal parts water and honey or sugar with the sliced fresh ginger until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Strain the syrup to remove the ginger pieces for a smooth finish.
- Mix the Cocktail Base: Combine the Asian pear juice (or slices), ginger syrup, fresh lemon juice, and rice wine or sake in a shaker filled with ice. Shake gently to blend all ingredients well.
- Assemble the Cocktail: Pour the mixture into a chilled glass, top with sparkling water, and stir lightly. Add ice cubes if desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a thin slice of Asian pear and a cinnamon stick or star anise pod for an elegant festive look and subtle aroma boost. Optionally add fresh mint or citrus slices for additional flavor and decoration.
Notes
- Use fresh Asian pears for the best crisp, juicy flavor.
- Adjust the honey or syrup to balance sweetness without overpowering the drink.
- Chill all ingredients beforehand to maintain a refreshing temperature.
- Add sparkling water just before serving to keep carbonation lively.
- Thinly slice pear for maximum flavor release and attractive garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Mixing and shaking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approx. 8 oz)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Chinese New Year cocktail, Asian pear cocktail, Lunar New Year drink, festive cocktail, pear and ginger cocktail, non-alcoholic cocktail option
