Pear Martini

This martini is a billowy immersion into a fresh pear. It is light, not too sweet, and has depth, just like 2019 La Aurora honey. The alcohol is an unusual gin from our hometown that only has three flavors: pear, lavender and juniper, which we love with 2019 La Aurora. The honey also has notes of pear, pulling the fresh pear, gin, and honey together in a beautiful but subtle way; since pear is already a light flavor, the three enhance each other to bring out the true pear flavor. Use any pears that are fresh and juicy, but preferably that also have a bit of a bite, like the Comice featured in these photos.


INGREDIENTS

1 ounce La Aurora 2019 Syrup*
½ ounce lemon juice
¼ cup roughly chopped pear

2 ounces Gompers’ Estate Gin
½ ounce coconut water
a few drops of vanilla

Ice


INSTRUCTIONS

Muddle honey syrup, lemon juice, and pear in a shaker.  Add gin, coconut water, and vanilla, and fill with ice; shake vigorously.  Strain through a fine sieve into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with dried pears.

*For the syrup, mix ¼ cup honey with 2 Tbsp. boiling water and stir until smooth.

Dried Pears

Slice a pear crosswise as thinly as possible (around 1/8th inch if possible), leaving the skin, center seeds, and membranes in tact. Lay on a non-stick cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake in a 250° oven for 1-2 hours, until crisp and dried out, but not brown. Cool flat and then carefully remove from the cookie sheet. Slice a notch in the pear garnish to ensure it remains upright on the martini glass.