Spiced Pear Collins: Autumn’s Bubbly, Botanical Beauty

The Spiced Pear Collins is a seasonal sparkle of a cocktail—refreshing, fruit-forward, and subtly spiced, it takes the bones of a classic Tom Collins and infuses them with the gentle sweetness of ripe pear and a warming blend of fall spices. If you’ve ever wanted a cocktail that captures the essence of early autumn in a glass, this is it: fizzy, aromatic, and perfect for both cozy evenings and festive brunches.

Where the traditional Collins leans into lemon and gin for a crisp, summery lift, this variation softens the citrus with spiced pear syrup, making room for earthy depth, cinnamon warmth, and a dash of elegance. It’s a cocktail I love to serve in the transition between summer and fall—when the leaves are just starting to turn and the nights hint at sweater weather.

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Quick Facts: Spiced Pear Collins

Method: shaken
Flavor profile: bright, spiced, fruity
How to serve it: over ice, topped with soda
Glassware: Collins glass
Alcohol content: ~12–15% ABV, ~14–17 grams of alcohol per serving

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Ingredients

• 2 oz London dry gin
• ¾ oz spiced pear syrup (homemade or quality store-bought)
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• 2–3 oz club soda
• Garnish: pear slice, cinnamon stick, or thyme sprig
• Ice (cubed)

Ingredient Notes:

Gin:
Go with a London dry or aromatic-style gin that plays nicely with fruit and spice. Options like Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire, or St. George Botanivore work beautifully.

Spiced Pear Syrup:
Homemade is best! Simmer sliced pears with cinnamon sticks, clove, ginger, and sugar (recipe below). For store-bought, look for Liber & Co. Spiced Pear Syrup or similar craft options.

Lemon Juice:
Fresh-squeezed only. It’s crucial for balancing the syrup’s sweetness and giving the drink its trademark Collins brightness.

Club Soda:
Any unsweetened sparkling water will do. The fizz makes this drink feel light and elegant.

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Equipment Needed

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Hawthorne strainer
• Citrus press
• Collins or highball glass
• Bar spoon
• Ice (cubed)

This cocktail is all about balance—the fizz, the spice, the citrus, and the pear each need to shine without overpowering.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Chill the glass.
Add ice to a Collins glass or place it in the freezer while preparing the cocktail.

2. Shake the base.
In a shaker filled with ice, add:

• 2 oz gin
• ¾ oz spiced pear syrup
• ¾ oz lemon juice

Shake briskly for 10–12 seconds to chill and integrate the flavors.

3. Strain and build.
Strain into your chilled glass filled with fresh cubed ice.
Top with 2–3 oz club soda, and give a gentle stir to combine.

4. Garnish.
Add a pear slice fanned across the top or a cinnamon stick standing vertically.
A sprig of thyme adds visual contrast and a savory aromatic touch.

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Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The Spiced Pear Collins is effervescent and refreshing, with a core of ripe fruit and warming autumn spice.

Tasting notes include:

• Ripe pear and lemon zest on the nose
• Balanced sweetness with gentle spice—think cinnamon and clove
• Botanical backbone from the gin
• Crisp, dry finish from the soda water

It’s light enough to sip all day, but with just enough complexity to keep you coming back for another round.

Pairs well with:

• Herbed roast chicken or pork tenderloin
• Blue cheese or goat cheese crostini
• Roasted root vegetables with balsamic glaze
• Apple galette or pear tart
• Candied pecans or spiced shortbread

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Garnishing and Presentation

Visual appeal is everything in a Collins—especially when the flavors are this clean and seasonal.

Glassware:
A Collins glass is tall and slender, ideal for showcasing the drink’s bubbles and layered garnishes.

Garnish ideas:

• Pear slice, fanned or floated
• Cinnamon stick for warmth and visual height
• Thyme or rosemary sprig for earthy aromatics
• Lemon twist curled inside the glass for contrast
• Optional: a dried pear chip clipped to the rim for dramatic flair

Tips for a standout look:

• Use clear ice if possible to avoid cloudiness
• Slice pear thinly and soak briefly in lemon water to prevent browning
• Match garnish to the season: cinnamon in fall, thyme or mint in spring

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Pairing Suggestions

The Spiced Pear Collins is incredibly food-friendly, thanks to its mild sweetness and citrus acidity.

Brunch pairings:

• Savory crepes with herbs and goat cheese
• Quiche with caramelized onion and bacon
• Cinnamon French toast with pear compote
• Belgian waffles with honey butter

Dinner pairings:

• Grilled chicken with pear and arugula salad
• Butternut squash ravioli with sage brown butter
• Roasted duck breast with cranberry glaze
• Brie-stuffed dates or a baked Camembert

Dessert pairings:

• Pear tart or poached pears with spice syrup
• Apple crisp with vanilla cream
• Chai panna cotta
• Almond cake or spiced pound cake

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Cocktail History and Trivia

The original Tom Collins emerged in the mid-1800s as a bright, gin-based highball with lemon juice and soda—one of the earliest fizzy cocktails in modern mixology. Its simplicity and balance made it wildly popular and infinitely riffable.

The Spiced Pear Collins is a modern seasonal offshoot that plays with autumnal flavors while keeping the refreshing, long-drink format. Bartenders have embraced pear for its subtle elegance and compatibility with spice, and this cocktail is one of the best examples of how to use it in a structured, approachable way.

Fun fact: Pears are one of the few fruits that continue to ripen after picking, making them ideal for late-season cocktails—especially when infused into syrups.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve the Spiced Pear Collins:

• At fall gatherings, brunches, or holiday dinners
• As a welcome drink during Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving
• During pear season (August to November) when fruit is ripe and abundant
• At bridal showers or garden parties, with elegant glassware and herb garnishes
• In batches, for cocktail stations or pitcher service

To batch for 6 servings:

• 12 oz gin
• 4½ oz spiced pear syrup
• 4½ oz lemon juice
  Mix and chill ahead of time. Pour 3½ oz per glass and top with club soda. Garnish individually.

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Alcohol Content and Alternatives

At 12–15% ABV, the Spiced Pear Collins is a sessionable cocktail, especially when topped with soda and served over ice.

To lighten the strength:

• Use 1½ oz gin instead of 2 oz
• Top with more soda water
• Add a splash of pear juice to extend the flavor without more alcohol

Non-alcoholic version:

• ¾ oz spiced pear syrup
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• Top with soda water
• Optional: a few dashes of orange bitters (non-alcoholic)
  Serve with the same garnishes for full effect.

Variations:

• Pear Vodka Collins: Substitute pear vodka for gin
• Spiced Rum Collins: Use aged rum for a richer base
• Gin & Tonic Pear Collins: Replace soda with tonic for bitterness
• Pear French 75: Add a splash of Champagne instead of soda for a festive spin

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Homemade Spiced Pear Syrup

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe pear, sliced
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 small slice fresh ginger (or ¼ tsp ground)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let steep until cool.
5. Strain and store in fridge up to 2 weeks.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use pear juice instead of syrup?
Pear juice lacks the viscosity and spice of a syrup. If you use juice, add a bit of sugar or honey and muddled spice for balance.

What gin works best?
Choose something classic and clean. London dry gin or a lightly botanical gin gives structure without overwhelming the pear.

How sweet is it?
Not overly. The lemon juice and soda keep it balanced. If using a sweeter syrup or canned pear syrup, adjust lemon to taste.

Can I make it sparkling wine instead of soda?
Yes—substitute with dry Prosecco or Champagne for a Pear Sparkle Collins variation.

Do I have to shake this cocktail?
Yes—shaking helps emulsify the syrup and citrus, ensuring an even flavor and better integration before topping with soda.

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Conclusion

The Spiced Pear Collins is proof that light, bubbly cocktails can still pack complexity and seasonal flair. With its combination of gin botanicals, orchard fruit, and warm spice, it’s a cocktail that’s both refreshing and soul-warming—a perfect choice when you want to impress without fuss.