Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub

The Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub is an elegant mocktail designed for a discerning palate. It balances the sweetness of ripe pears with the sharp, acidic tang of apple cider vinegar, a hallmark of traditional shrubs. The experience is elevated by the aromatic infusion of smoked rosemary, which adds a savory, complex layer, creating a memorable and refreshing beverage that rivals any craft cocktail.
Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This beverage is classified as a Mocktail, as it is a non-alcoholic mixed drink. It specifically falls into the "Shrub" category, which are sophisticated drinks based on a combination of fruit, sugar, and vinegar, creating a sweet and tangy syrup.

Serving

Serve this non-alcoholic drink cold over a large ice cube in a smoked rocks glass. The smoking process is key to unlocking the drink's full aromatic potential.
Serving size
Approximately 200 ml (7 oz)
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
Smoked with a rosemary sprig

Backstory

This drink is a product of the modern craft mocktail movement, which has seen a revival of historical beverage-making techniques like shrubs, or "drinking vinegars." Shrubs were popular in colonial America as a way to preserve fruit. This specific combination of pear and smoked rosemary brings the historic method into the contemporary world, offering a complex, spirit-free option.
Origin
This is a modern creation, likely originating from craft cocktail bars in the United States or Europe in the 2010s. It reflects the growing demand for sophisticated, high-quality non-alcoholic beverage options that utilize culinary techniques.

Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub

This drink is consistently known as the Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub. Alternative names like "Smoky Pear & Rosemary Elixir" emphasize its complex, herbal character, highlighting the key flavor components for those unfamiliar with shrubs.
Original name
Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub
Alternative names
  • Smoky Pear & Rosemary Elixir
  • Non-Alcoholic Smoked Pear Shrub

Characteristics overview

This mocktail offers a complex sensory experience, with a smoky rosemary aroma leading to a balanced sweet and tangy flavor. Its light, bubbly texture and clean, herbal aftertaste make it a uniquely refreshing choice for cooler seasons.
Flavor
Smoky, herbal, fruity, sweet, tangy, complex
Aroma
Smoked rosemary, pear, apple cider vinegar
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Long, smoky, herbal, clean
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Pale golden, clear, luminous
Texture
Light, crisp, effervescent
Seasonality
Refreshing, autumnal, wintery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a pronounced sourness from the shrub, balanced by moderate sweetness and fruitiness. It is highly carbonated, alcohol-free, and has a subtle smoky spiciness without any saltiness or creaminess.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The core of this drink is a pear shrub, a sweet and tangy syrup, which is lengthened with chilled soda water. The signature aroma comes from smoking the serving glass with a rosemary sprig.
  • Pear Shrub60 ml (2 oz)
    A vinegar-based syrup made from pears, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. It can be store-bought or homemade by letting chopped pears and sugar sit for a day, then straining and mixing the resulting syrup with vinegar.
  • Soda Water120 ml (4 oz), or to top
    Chilled soda water or sparkling water is essential for the fizziness.
  • Rosemary Sprig (for smoking)1 sprig
    A woody sprig works best for producing smoke.

Ice type

  • One large cube or sphere

Mixing equipments

You will need a lighter or kitchen torch to ignite the rosemary for smoking the glass. A bar spoon is useful for gently combining the ingredients without losing carbonation.
  • Lighter or kitchen torch (for smoking the rosemary)
  • Bar Spoon (for gentle stirring)

Instructions

The process begins by infusing a rocks glass with rosemary smoke. Then, pear shrub and ice are added, topped with soda water, gently stirred, and finished with a fresh garnish.
1. Place a sprig of rosemary on a heatproof surface. Using a lighter or kitchen torch, carefully ignite the sprig until it begins to smolder and produce smoke.
2. Immediately place your rocks glass upside down over the smoking sprig to trap the smoke. Let the glass sit for 30-60 seconds to infuse.
3. Carefully turn the glass upright, retaining the smoke. Add one large ice cube to the glass.
4. Pour the 60 ml (2 oz) of pear shrub over the ice.
5. Top with approximately 120 ml (4 oz) of chilled soda water.
6. Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
7. Garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and a thin slice of pear before serving.

Garnishing

Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary and a thin slice of pear. This not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the drink's fresh pear and herbal aromas.
  • Fresh Rosemary Sprig - Place a fresh sprig into the finished drink.
  • Thin Pear Slice - Add a thin slice of fresh pear to the glass or on the rim.

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally alcohol-free, caffeine-free, vegan, and free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts, and soy.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This mocktail is relatively low in calories, with its caloric content primarily coming from the sugar in the pear shrub. It contains about 20-25 grams of carbohydrates and sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 80-100 kcal (335-418 kJ)
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 20-25 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This mocktail is perfect for sophisticated social events, dinner parties, or as a special evening drink. Its complex flavor profile makes it an excellent choice for holiday gatherings where a festive, non-alcoholic option is desired.
  • Dinner Parties
  • Holiday Gatherings
  • Relaxing Evening Drink
  • Sophisticated Social Events

Pairing suggestions

The drink's sweet, tart, and savory notes pair wonderfully with rich and savory foods. It cuts through the creaminess of cheeses, complements roasted meats, and enhances salads with nuts and bitter greens.
  • Artisanal Cheese Board (especially with goat cheese or blue cheese)
  • Roasted Chicken or Pork
  • Savory Tarts or Quiches
  • Walnut and Arugula Salad

The Sophisticated Allure of the Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub

The Smoked Rosemary and Pear Shrub is a testament to the art of the modern mocktail, offering a drinking experience that is anything but plain. By combining the old-world technique of a drinking vinegar with the contemporary flair of smoked herbs, it creates a beverage that is complex, aromatic, and deeply satisfying. Its balance of sweet pear, tangy vinegar, and savory smoke makes it a perfect non-alcoholic centerpiece for any sophisticated occasion, proving that you don't need alcohol to enjoy a thoughtfully crafted drink.

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