Why You’ll Love This Cocktail
The Essence of an Easy Holiday Drink
Perfect for Any Festive Gathering
How to Serve This Spiced Cocktail
More Festive Cocktail Ideas
Recipe Notes & Tips
Let’s Make This Easy Holiday Recipe

Key Takeaways

This Spiced Pear Cocktail is a perfect balance of sweet, tart, and warm spice flavors. The star of the show is a homemade cinnamon syrup that takes minutes to prepare and can be used in countless other drinks. With just a few minutes of active prep time, you’ll have a sophisticated, easy holiday recipe that impresses guests. The recipe is easily scalable for a crowd and offers a non-alcoholic variation with simple substitutions. This cocktail isn’t just for the holidays—it’s a delicious drink you’ll want to make year-round.

Why You’ll Love This Cocktail

When the holiday season arrives, I’m always on the lookout for simple holiday cocktails that feel special without requiring hours of preparation. That’s exactly what this Spiced Pear Cocktail delivers. Hi, I’m Betty from Betty Cooks, and I believe the best holiday entertaining happens when the host can enjoy the party too. This drink is my secret weapon. It features a beautiful balance of sweet pear, tart lemon, and warming cinnamon. It’s a festive treat that looks as elegant as it tastes, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table or cocktail hour.

The Essence of an Easy Holiday Drink

What makes this one of my favorite quick holiday recipes is the homemade cinnamon syrup. Don’t let “homemade” scare you—it’s incredibly simple. You just simmer water, sugar, and cinnamon sticks together for a few minutes. This syrup is the soul of the drink, infusing it with that cozy, comforting spice that defines the season. The rest is just assembly: shaking the syrup with pear vodka and fresh lemon juice. This holiday party drink comes together so quickly, you can easily make one for yourself or a dozen for friends. It’s truly one of the easiest festive cocktails you’ll ever make.

Perfect for Any Festive Gathering

This easy holiday recipe is wonderfully versatile. It’s elegant enough for a formal dinner party, cozy enough for a quiet night by the fire, and fun enough for a casual get-together with friends. I love making a large batch of the cinnamon syrup in advance (it keeps beautifully in the fridge for weeks), so when guests arrive, I can whip up cocktails in no time. The garnish is simple yet stunning—a thin slice of fresh pear and a cinnamon stick. It signals to your guests that this is something special, a crafted drink made with care, even though it took you mere minutes.

How to Serve This Spiced Cocktail

Presentation matters, even with a simple cocktail. I recommend serving this in a chilled coupe or martini glass. The wide bowl of the glass allows the aromas of cinnamon and pear to shine. For a larger party, consider setting up a DIY cocktail station with the pre-made cinnamon syrup, chilled vodka, lemon juice, and garnishes. It becomes an interactive part of your entertaining and takes the pressure off you as the host. Pair this drink with savory appetizers like spiced nuts, a cheese board with sharp cheddar and brie, or even mini savory tarts. The sweet and spicy notes of the cocktail complement rich, savory foods perfectly.

More Festive Cocktail Ideas

Once you’ve mastered this easy holiday recipe, you can use the same principles to create variations. Try swapping the pear vodka for apple brandy in the fall, or use the cinnamon syrup in hot toddies or mulled wine. You could also rim the glasses with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon for an extra festive touch. For a truly show-stopping presentation, consider smoking the glass with a cinnamon stick before pouring the cocktail. The key to successful holiday entertaining is having a few reliable, impressive recipes in your repertoire, and this spiced pear cocktail is definitely one of them.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Make-Ahead Syrup: The cinnamon syrup is the perfect component to prepare in advance. Make a double or triple batch and store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. This makes last-minute cocktail assembly a breeze.
Non-Alcoholic Version: For a delightful “mocktail,” simply replace the pear vodka with an equal amount of high-quality pear nectar or pear juice. You still get all the wonderful spiced flavor without the alcohol.
Garnish Freshness: Slice the pear garnish just before serving to prevent it from browning. A quick dip in lemon water can help if you need to prepare them slightly ahead of time.
Spice Level: Control the intensity of the cinnamon flavor by steeping the syrup for more or less time. For a stronger spice, let the cinnamon sticks sit in the cooled syrup overnight before straining.

Let’s Make This Easy Holiday Recipe

Now that you’re ready to create this wonderful holiday party drink, gather your ingredients and let’s get shaking! Remember, the beauty of this simple holiday cocktail lies in its balance and ease. Whether you’re toasting to a successful year or simply enjoying a quiet moment of seasonal joy, this spiced pear cocktail from Betty Cooks is sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. For more inspiring quick holiday recipes and festive entertaining ideas, be sure to explore the other delicious recipes on the site. Cheers to a wonderful season!