Spiced Pear Liqueur

I’ve been making liqueurs for years, especially in the fall so that they are ready for gift giving at Christmas time. Initially inspired by this adorable book, I began by following recipes, and have since realized that recipes aren’t really critical at all when making a liqueur.

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This book is still available on Amazon. The author is Mary Aurea Morris, and it was published in 1999.

You have to decide on the spirit you want to use, decide on the sweetness level, and then the flavor. Vodka is my go-to spirit for most all of my liqueurs, because of its “neutral” flavor. When I refer to the sweetness of the liqueur, I’m of course referring to the amount of sugar. A simply infused vodka, for example, is to me a liquor, not a liqueur. A liqueur is sweeter, and much more to my liking.

Fruits are fabulous in home-made liqueurs. Since I started my blog, I’ve posted on sweet strawberry liqueur.

But besides berries and cranberries, citrus fruits, pomegranates, and just about all tree fruits can be used. (note to self – peach vodka next summer!)

So this fall I decided to make a pear variety. The recipe is quite simple, and is definitely less expensive than the popular Poire William. But it will be about 6 weeks before the big reveal.

Spiced Pear Liqueur

3/4 cup sugar
Small handful whole cloves
Small handful whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
1 ripe pear, I used red D’anjou
Few pieces of orange peel
Vodka, approximately 4 cups

Place the sugar, cloves, allspice and cinnamon sticks in a large, clean bottling jar with a lid. Slice up the pear, avoiding the core, and place wedges into the jar. Add the orange peel.

Using a funnel, pour vodka until it reaches the top. Shake well until the sugar dissolves. Then store away for 2 weeks.

I decided to try out a pear Amaretto fizz. I used about equal parts of each, then topped it off with champagne. Prosecco would work as well.

pearr1

The spiced pear liqueur mixed well with champagne as well, and is very pretty.

I’m not a creative bartender, so some of you could definitely come up with some other pear liqueur-based cocktails. The liqueur itself was wonderful.

By Published On: November 6th, 201442 Comments on Spiced Pear Liqueur

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

42 Comments

  1. thesinglegourmetandtraveller November 6, 2014 at 8:04 AM - Reply

    This will make lovely Xmas presents – lucky friends!

  2. Jodi November 6, 2014 at 8:12 AM - Reply

    Oh i Love this post and I definitely want to try this!! Would be such a lovely holiday gift!!! Adding to my list. Thanks for sharing!!!!

  3. Heather @ Sweet Precision November 6, 2014 at 8:27 AM - Reply

    What a wonderful idea for Christmas presents! I love making homemade gifts for my family and friends and I will definitely have to tuck away this idea. Thank you for sharing :)

  4. Melissa @ The Glen House November 6, 2014 at 8:30 AM - Reply

    Ooh, this sounds gorgeous! I’ve used vodka for Christmas gifts before, but this seems very special.

    • chef mimi November 6, 2014 at 8:46 AM - Reply

      I just hope it turns out well. Fresh pear is such a subtle flavor.

  5. emmabarrett1508 November 6, 2014 at 9:01 AM - Reply

    This sounds delicious. What a fantastic Christmas gift idea. I hope you are well. Emma xx

  6. A Famished Foodie November 6, 2014 at 9:45 AM - Reply

    Yum! That hazelnut liquor sounds a bit awful, but the one you shared with us sounds like it’ll be great! Such a great gift idea, or just an idea for personal Christmas usage haha.

  7. Butter, Basil and Breadcrumbs November 6, 2014 at 10:34 AM - Reply

    After a horrible week, (big downsizing at work) I could use a little glass of this right now.. Thank you Mimi… you always have the coolest stuff. LOVE this. We need to talk about that hazelnut though…I’d be interested in trying to get it figured out! <3 LOVE.

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:49 AM - Reply

      I think it’s just easier to buy frangelico… Sorry about work. Back in the early 80’s, the oil business downsized for years. It was horrible, so I’m really sorry.

  8. spiritedcook November 6, 2014 at 11:51 AM - Reply

    Hahaha! You are so funny with “bad recipe!” I do that all the time with my cookbooks, and I think when I’m long gone someone will appreciated my opinionated comments. I used to make liqueurs, of all sorts, haven’t done it in years. I will be curious how this turns out! Hope you are having a good fall!

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:48 AM - Reply

      Fall has finally come where I live, and so I am happier. Heat and I don’t get along. I miss the fresh tomatoes, but fall food is so much fun. You need to start making liqueurs again!

  9. Our Growing Paynes November 6, 2014 at 12:22 PM - Reply

    PInned this! I’ve been thinking more and more about doing my own flavoured vodka and I love this recipe. :)

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:47 AM - Reply

      Thanks. Someone reminded me that I made a gingerbread liqueur last year. I need to make a huge batch of that again. It was incredible. And I don’t even love gingerbread.

      • Our Growing Paynes November 8, 2014 at 8:38 AM

        Too funny. I should try to make some gingerbread. I remember my mum making it for us when we were kids.

      • chef mimi November 8, 2014 at 11:10 AM

        I imagine you’re not talking about the gingerbread liqueur…

      • Our Growing Paynes November 8, 2014 at 11:11 AM

        No my mum didn’t liquor us up as kids! LOL

  10. Julie is HostessAtHeart November 6, 2014 at 12:50 PM - Reply

    What a beautiful gift idea. I’ve infused vodka with pineapple and it was delicious! A drink sounds good…just a bit to early though :(

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:46 AM - Reply

      Oh wow. Pineapple infused sounds fabulous in the summer!!!

      • Julie is HostessAtHeart November 7, 2014 at 8:49 AM

        We have a restaurant that has a large jar of it on display and it’s just beautiful. Definitely for summer though.

  11. miyoreos November 6, 2014 at 1:08 PM - Reply

    Oh wow!
    Home made liqueurs sound like great gifts! :)

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:46 AM - Reply

      Well, I hope my friends and family like them. I keep gifting them!!!

      • miyoreos November 7, 2014 at 8:47 AM

        I’m sure they love them! :)

  12. ladyredspecs November 6, 2014 at 4:13 PM - Reply

    This time last year I made your recipe for gingerbread liqueur. Just yesterday I pulled the remainder out of the cupboard and took a nip. The flavour has smoothed and mellowed in that time, 12 months has done wonders. I was going to make another batch, but I’ve just nixed that idea, I’m making spiced pear liqueur instead. Thanks Mimi

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:45 AM - Reply

      Oh my gosh I forgot about the gingerbread liqueur. I’m making that again but in a giant batch!

  13. Peter - The Roaming GastroGnome November 6, 2014 at 8:27 PM - Reply

    Oh wow, I must say I love hazelnuts and when I first saw the picture I got excited, then I read how it didn’t work so well and was sad. Can’t wait to see how the pear turns out!

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:44 AM - Reply

      It was really sad. And a waste of really good hazelnuts.

  14. chefjulianna November 6, 2014 at 11:56 PM - Reply

    Beautiful, Mimi! I used to make liqueurs, but haven’t made them for years! You have inspired me to make some for this Christmas! Your pear liqueur looks enticing! :D

    • chef mimi November 7, 2014 at 8:44 AM - Reply

      You definitely need to start making them again!

  15. chefceaser November 7, 2014 at 7:59 AM - Reply

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

  16. thewindykitchen November 7, 2014 at 1:05 PM - Reply

    oh, I may have to try this since I still have plenty of pears left! what a great idea ;-) looking forward to hearing how it tastes!

    • chef mimi November 8, 2014 at 7:54 AM - Reply

      It’s amber in color now, but I haven’t tasted it yet…

  17. dianeskitchentable November 10, 2014 at 3:12 PM - Reply

    I absolutely love this and had no idea it was so easy. That strawberry one sounds wonderful too. Now when you say store it, do you just mean tuck it into the pantry? No refrigeration, no scary pressure cooker involved right? I so want to make some of these up.

    • chef mimi November 10, 2014 at 5:47 PM - Reply

      I just put the bottle in my liquor cabinet. But any dark place would work.

      • dianeskitchentable November 10, 2014 at 6:37 PM

        Thanks – I’m liking it even more now :)

  18. Kristi Kaiser November 14, 2014 at 8:05 AM - Reply

    This looks really good Mimi! I’ve never made liqueur before! Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen

    • chef mimi November 14, 2014 at 9:56 AM - Reply

      Oh it’s fun! I’m going to make gingerbread liqueur again that I posted about last year. boy that was yummy!

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