Friday, June 29, 2012

Pear, Ginger and Thyme Martini

Pear, Ginger and Thyme Martini

Experimenting with cocktails in the summer is as easy as a trip to the fruit stand. Smelling ripe fruit at the market instantly brought ideas for new refreshments but not all fruit lend themselves well to being pureed. If the fruit is not particularly juicy or if it's very fibrous, I find it more efficient to let the beverage department of my supermarket help me out.

Pear, Ginger and Thyme Martini
I always look for an unsweetened juice of one particular fruit, not blends or juice 'cocktails.' And I found exactly that for the delightful pear. You could just add vodka and some citrus and call it a pear martini but I try to add complimentary flavors if it will make a more interesting flavor. Pears go well with ginger and fresh thyme and the combination made for a drink that went down quite smoothly. It's full of pear flavor but with the subtle heat of ginger and a little herbal note from the thyme. Although I prefer the drink with vodka, it also works quite well with gin. Enjoy!






Per Serving:
2 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Unsweetened pear juice
1/2 oz. Lemon juice
1/2 oz. Ginger syrup (recipe below)
3 Sprigs of thyme

Combine the ginger syrup and the thyme in a cocktail shaker and muddle together. Add the vodka, pear juice and lemon juice. Fill with ice and shake well. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a sprig of thyme.

Pear, Ginger and Thyme Martini
Fresh ginger and the ginger syrup
To make the ginger syrup, combine 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar and 8 slices from a fresh hand of ginger in a pot. Simmer slowly on the stove top until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let cool and then transfer to a sealed container (with the ginger pieces). Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the ginger flavor to steep into the syrup. Note that ginger syrup also makes a wonderful sweetener for hot or iced tea.

24 comments:

  1. A beautiful martini my friend, love the addition of pear :D

    Cheers
    CCU

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  2. GORGEOUS, my friend.

    Also, I may need one today. Let's just say, liquor makes everything better.

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  3. I could go for one now, it is 5 o'clock somewhere, right?

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  4. This is a beautiful cocktail. I love that you infused the vodka with ginger. Great flavor combo.

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  5. Happy Friday to me! I could easily go for a few of these!!

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  6. Anita, I've said it before, but you are the queen of the cocktails. I hate too-sweet drinks, but you've nailed it here with the unsweetened juice and ginger syrup.

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  7. I'm a huge fan of pears, so this cocktail is ultra appealing! Love that you've added ginger and thyme for some complexity of flavor...so refreshing :) Have a fabulous weekend, Anita!

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  8. You are a lady after my very own heart. I always look forward to your cocktails!

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  9. Oh yeah, I am going for this cocktail. Pear, ginger and lime, that works. What else would you use the ginger juice for?

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    1. Hi Suzi - Because the ginger syrup is sweet, I would use it in almost any application that called for a sweet syrup. I was thinking hot or iced tea but it would also be great to moisten layer cakes. Ginger would probably compliment a lot of different flavors. I hope you enjoy it!

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  10. I love pear anything... we would get along so well, and better drinking this one cheers!

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  11. Ginger, pear, thyme, martini all of them together is a deadly combination. Must have these summers

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  12. Hey Anita, I nominated you for the versatile blogger award! ;-)

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  13. Perfect for a hot summer day. Congratulations on making the foodbuzz Top 9!

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  14. Just ran to the store for some pear juice...Happy 4th to me!

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  15. I have yet to try a martini. I know I'm missing out. This sounds fantastic!

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  16. Marvelous cocktail. I am quite intrigued by the inclusion of thyme - I'll be it cooperates deliciously with the pear and ginger.

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  17. Oh yes...bring on the cocktails! Hope you have a happy 4th and have plans to get out of the city!!

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  18. I love thyme in cocktails! This sounds lovely.

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  19. Your cocktail looks wonderful and presentation too. I want to try this ginger syrup. I'm a big ginger fan and I am going to love this!

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  20. We made these for our 4th Party! They were a hit! Very easy going down and super tasty! Thanks!

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  21. I love your ginger syrup idea! I have been trying to think of ways to add the aroma of ginger to gin and I think I just found it. Thanks :)

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