One of my favorite “standard” bar cocktails has always been a whiskey sour. There’s just something so classic about the tart combination! Today, I’m putting a spin on it that’s perfect for fall or winter with this pear whiskey sour. It takes just 5 minutes to throw together for an easy drink!
Ditch the maraschino cherry for a sweet pear in this twist on a traditional cocktail. This pear whiskey sour adds a unique twist that’s perfect for fall and winter.
Plus, it’s so easy to throw together that it’s an ideal choice for entertaining, which you’ll probably do a lot of during these seasons. I always offer it for a Thanksgiving drink option, but it’s perfect for the holidays too!
Like most cocktails, there are lots of different ways to make this drink depending on what you have on hand, or what your store has. In fact, I happened to have some leftover pear syrup from making Spiced Pear Margaritas last week, which is what inspired this recipe!
Ingredients List
2 ounces rye whiskey
2 ounces pear syrup
1 ounce sour mix or ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use any variety of whiskey you like or have on hand, I just happen to like the flavor profile of rye whiskey for this (I use Bulleit)
Instead of the pear syrup (I have Root Au Pear) you can use a fresh pear that’s been blended and strained, or pear juice (like Knudsen’s) or pear nectar
You could also use pear brandy or pear vodka! Reduce the whiskey down to 1 ounce to compensate for the additional alcohol, and add ½ – 1 ounce of simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey to make up for the sweetness
Since I have some sour mix on hand, that’s what I’m using. However, this drink is less “artificial” tasting if you use fresh lemon juice instead
Garnish options include: Cinnamon stick, slice of pear, star anise, sprig of fresh rosemary, or a lemon slice (and any combination thereof!)
Variations on the Pear Whiskey Sour
Egg White Froth. Add an egg white to the mix before shaking to create a frothy, foamy top to your drink. While this used to be traditional, it’s far less commonplace nowadays
Bitter. Add a few drops of cinnamon or Angostura bitters to top off the drink
Apple Pear. Use apple whiskey along with the pear for an apple-pear combination
Ginger Pear. Add ginger syrup or some ginger beer for a pear-ginger variation
Maple Pear. A Tbsp of real maple syrup adds sweetness and maple flavor to your drink
Spiced Pear. Add ½ tsp cinnamon to your drink before mixing, or use a spiced pear syrup instead of plain
Mocktail. Omit the whiskey and use zero proof whiskey, ginger beer, or apple juice/cider to replace it
Step By Step Instructions
Measure and pour the whiskey, pear syrup, and the sour mix or lemon juice into a shaker (or mason jar) with a few ice cubes
Shake for 15-20 seconds, until well chilled and combined
What Type of Whiskey Works Best for a Pear Whiskey Sour?
Rye whiskey is a great choice, but you may use any type of whiskey or bourbon whiskey that you like.
Feel free to experiment with flavored whiskey like Crown, which can be used to add apple or caramel notes to your drink.
Is Fresh Pear Juice Necessary, or Can I Use Store-Bought?
Fresh pear juice isn’t necessary, and the convenience of store bought cannot be beat. Use pear juice, nectar, or syrup for the best results.
Of course, you can peel, core, and blend your own pears as well. Make sure to use a ripe one for the best sweetness and flavor, and strain to remove particles.
How Can I Make a Pear Whiskey Sour Without Simple Syrup?
To make a pear whiskey sour without simple syrup, just use the pears! They offer a lot of natural sweetness, so you likely don’t need to add anything additional.
However, for a sweeter drink, you can add about 1 Tbsp of honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, or canned pear syrup for a sweetness.
Can I Prepare a Batch of Pear Whiskey Sour in Advance for a Party?
Yes, you can mix the ingredients (excluding the ice) in advance and refrigerate. Add ice and shake before serving.
Simply scale up the recipe to the desired number of servings. I’d recommend only making it 24 hours in advance, though, particularly if using fresh pears.
Can I Adjust the Sweetness and Sourness Levels to My Preference?
Absolutely! To make it more sweet, add additional pear juice or some simple syrup. For more sourness, add extra sour mix or lemon juice.
You can also adjust the strength of the drink by adding more or less whiskey, or using a pear liquor instead of pear syrup.
Can I Use Canned Pears Instead of Fresh for Convenience?
Yes, if you’d like to make your own pear syrup, using canned pears is a fine option instead of fresh. Blend the pears along with the syrup or water they are canned in to make it easier to strain.
You can use canned pears in water, or in syrup if you’d prefer a sweeter cocktail.
Recipe Pro Tips
Glassware. Old fashioned glasses are the most common option. Alternatives include rocks, delmonico, or cobbler glasses
For fresh lemon juice, one medium-sized lemon generally gives me about 2 ounces of juice once squeezed. If you’re scaling the recipe, adjust the number you need accordingly!
Storage and Batch Tips
This recipe can be scaled up for as many drinks as you’d like, and added to a pitcher and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a stir, and pour into individual glasses (over ice if you’d like it extra cold) to serve
When using fresh pears to make the syrup, only make it up to 24 hours in advance for best results
It doesn’t get much easier than a 3 ingredient, 5 minute cocktail! This pear whiskey sour is a perfect fall and winter twist on a bar classic.
Since it’s so simple to make, it’s perfect for entertaining, especially around the holidays. With all your friends and family coming into town, you’re definitely going to want a cocktail!
Whether you choose to make your own pear juice or just buy it in the store is up to you, but I’m always a fan of convenience with everything going on in life! Plus, you can use any leftovers to make some of my other great pear cocktails above. Enjoy!
3 Ingredient Pear Whiskey Sour Recipe
Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes is all it takes to make this pear whiskey sour! It’s perfect for fall and winter entertaining with its cozy, warm vibes.
2Ouncespear juice, nectar, or syrup(such as Root Au Pear)
1Ounceprepared sour mix or ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
Ice cubes
Instructions
Measure and pour the whiskey, pear syrup, and the sour mix or lemon juice into a shaker (or mason jar) with a few ice cubes
Shake for 15-20 seconds, until well chilled and combined
Strain into an old fashioned, whiskey, or rocks glass
Garnish if desired, and enjoy
Notes
You can use any variety of whiskey you like or have on hand, I just happen to like the flavor profile of rye whiskey for this best
Instead of the pear syrup you can use a fresh pear that’s been blended and strained, pear juice (like Knudsen’s), or pear nectar
You could also use pear brandy or pear vodka! Reduce the whiskey down to 1 ounce to compensate for the additional alcohol, and add ½ – 1 ounce of simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey to make up for the missing sweetness
Since I have some sour mix on hand, that’s what I’m using. However, this drink is less “artificial” tasting if you use fresh lemon juice instead
Garnish options include: Cinnamon stick, slice of pear, star anise, sprig of fresh rosemary, or a lemon slice (and any combination thereof!)
This recipe can be scaled up for as many drinks as you’d like, and added to a pitcher and stored in the refrigerator (without ice). Just give it a stir, and pour into individual glasses (over ice if you’d like it extra cold) to serve
When using fresh pears to make the juice, only make it up to 24 hours in advance for best results
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any swaps or garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
