Vanilla Pear Liqueur Recipe
As you infuse fresh pears in vodka with sugar and real vanilla beans for this pear liqueur recipe, the alcohol will extract that subtle pear essence. It's delicately flavored with vanilla beans, which highlight the floral notes, and a little cinnamon to warm everything up. It's a lovely sip to enjoy during the winter and makes an incredibly thoughtful homemade gift!
Equipment
- 2 quart mason jar
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 funnel
Ingredients
- 2 cups unflavored vodka or Everclear; high proof
- 1-2 pears diced
- 1/2 cup white sugar up to 1 cup
- 1-2 vanilla beans sliced in half
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar. Close and shake well.
- Store the jar in a cool, dry place. Shake daily for at least one week.
- Allow the mixture to steep for an additional week or until it has a strong pear flavor.
- Strain out the pears and vanilla and add the mixture to a fresh jar.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
This liqueur needs at least 2 weeks of infusing time before straining. Feel free to let it infuse for up to a month before straining out the fresh pear pieces.
Store your finished liqueur at room temperature in a well-sealed container for approximately 1 year. You can also keep it in the fridge and enjoy chilled.
- Spiced pear liqueur: Instead of the vanilla beans, add an extra cinnamon stick, 1-2 star anise, and 5 whole cloves. Replace the sugar with brown sugar and you'll get a rich, spiced pear liqueur that's absolutely delicious in your fall cocktails.
- Add citrus zest: For a refreshing citrus note, add an orange peel, lemon zest, etc.
- Try different types of pears: I used one Red Bartlett pear, but you can use any type of pear, like asian pears, anjou pears, and more.
- Change the alcohol: You can easily use brandy, rum, or other alcohols for this recipe. I chose vodka because I wanted the flavor of vanilla to stand out and it's already so delicate. Just make sure you choose an alcohol that is 100-proof.