With autumn in full swing, fall produce is everywhere, including many varieties of delicious pears.    Pears are highly nutritious offering vitamin C to boost the immune system, antioxidants to ward off cancer and copper to help increase brain power.   Each type of pear is slightly different in texture, flavor and sweetness.  I suggest buying one of each and tasting them to compare.

I concocted this simple pear cocktail to taste like fall with bartlett pear, fresh sage, lemon juice & touch of honey.  Perfect for holiday parties,  you can use vodka, gin or bourbon and serve up or on the rocks.   I prefer the understated sophistication of the stemless martini glass to keep with the elegance of the cocktail but if you are afraid of spills, on the rocks is safer.

Ingredients

1 oz fresh pear juice or 2-3 slices of fresh pear

1 large or 2 small sage leaves

.75 oz fresh lemon juice

.5 oz raw honey syrup (dilute honey in warm water 3:1)

1.5 oz organic vodka or gin

Directions

• muddle pear slices w/ lemon juice & sage

• add honey syrup & vodka

• add ice and shake well

• strain into stemless martini glass  (you can also serve on the rocks)

• garnish with pear slice and sage leaf

 Use a dash of stevia instead of honey syrup for a low sugar option

Cheers!