Spiced Pear Collins

The Spiced Pear Collins is a delightful seasonal variation of the timeless Tom Collins. It combines the botanical notes of gin with the sweet, warming flavors of a spiced pear syrup and the bright tartness of fresh lemon juice. Topped with bubbly club soda, this cocktail is both refreshing and comforting, making it a perfect choice for cooler autumn evenings or festive holiday gatherings.
Spiced Pear Collins

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Spiced Pear Collins is categorized as a long drink and a cocktail. It belongs to the Collins family of cocktails and is often considered a seasonal drink, particularly popular during autumn.

Serving

Served cold in a tall Collins or Highball glass, this is a moderately alcoholic long drink that is both refreshing and flavorful.
Serving size
Approximately 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

This cocktail is a modern creation, born from the craft cocktail revival's emphasis on seasonal ingredients and homemade infusions. While its parent, the Tom Collins, dates back to the 19th century, the Spiced Pear Collins is a 21st-century innovation. It doesn't have a single creator but represents a popular trend among bartenders to adapt classic recipes for a contemporary palate.
Origin
A modern variation developed in the early 21st century, likely in the United States or the United Kingdom, as part of the craft cocktail movement. It has no single point of origin.

Spiced Pear Collins

The drink is consistently known as the Spiced Pear Collins, without common alternative names or an original non-English name.
Original name

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a delightful aroma of pear and warm spices, leading to a balanced sweet and tart flavor with a clean, crisp finish. Its bubbly texture and pale golden appearance make it a sophisticated and refreshing autumnal cocktail.
Flavor
Pear, Spiced, Botanical, Tart, Sweet, Fruity
Aroma
Pear, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Juniper, Citrus
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Warming Spice
Fizziness
Effervescent, Bubbly
Color appearance
Pale Gold, Slightly Cloudy, Clear
Texture
Light, Crisp, Bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, Autumnal, Warming

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Spiced Pear Collins offers a balanced flavor profile, with moderate sweetness, sourness, and fruitiness, complemented by a gentle spice and high carbonation. Its alcohol strength is present but not overpowering.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires gin, fresh lemon juice, a custom spiced pear syrup, and club soda to top it all off.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic London Dry Gin provides a great botanical backbone.
  • Lemon Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
  • Spiced Pear Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Can be homemade by simmering pear juice with sugar, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. Adjust quantity to taste.
  • Club Soda60-90 ml / 2-3 oz, to top
    Use a chilled club soda for best results.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and a strainer, to prepare this drink properly.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Strainer to pour the chilled liquid without ice.

Instructions

The method involves shaking the gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice, straining it into an ice-filled glass, and then topping it with club soda. A gentle stir and a final garnish complete the process.
1. Fill a Collins glass with cubed ice to chill it.
2. Add the gin, lemon juice, and spiced pear syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice, seal it, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the ice-filled Collins glass.
5. Top the drink with chilled club soda.
6. Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
7. Garnish with a thin pear slice and a star anise before serving.

Garnishing

Garnish with a thin slice of fresh pear and a whole star anise to enhance the drink's aroma and visual appeal.
  • Thin Pear Slice: Place a thin slice of fresh pear inside the glass or on the rim.
  • Star Anise: Float a whole star anise on top for an aromatic touch.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten, making it suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate amount of calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, primarily derived from the spiced pear syrup and the alcohol content.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfectly suited for autumn and winter occasions, such as holiday parties, Thanksgiving dinners, or simply a cozy evening by the fire.
  • Autumn Gatherings
  • Holiday Parties
  • Cozy Evenings
  • Thanksgiving

Pairing suggestions

This drink pairs wonderfully with savory and slightly rich foods that complement its spice and fruit notes. Consider serving it alongside a cheese board, roasted white meats like chicken or pork, or simple spiced appetizers.
  • Cheese Board (especially with aged cheddar, goat cheese, or blue cheese)
  • Roasted Chicken or Pork
  • Light Appetizers
  • Spiced Nuts

The Spiced Pear Collins: Autumn's Answer to a Classic

The Spiced Pear Collins is an elegant and flavorful long drink that captures the essence of autumn in a glass. It builds upon the classic Collins formula by introducing a homemade or artisanal spiced pear syrup, which adds layers of comforting warmth and fruity sweetness. Balanced by crisp gin and tart lemon, and lightened with a splash of soda, it is both sophisticated and accessible. This cocktail is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a seasonal, refreshing, and beautifully aromatic drink.

Similar Cocktails

Tom Collins

The classic original, made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup (instead of spiced pear syrup), and club soda.

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