Still Life of a Pear

This drink features a pear shrub, also known as a pear drinking vinegar. Shrubs originated several centuries ago in England as a method of preserving fruit and berries. It can be used either in alcoholic cocktails or mixed with soda water. Photo by Kristen Penoyer.

Makes 1 cocktail

Ingredients

For pear shrub

4-6 fresh pears

Apple cider vinegar

Sugar

For the cocktail

1-1/2 ounces Busnel Calvados

3/4 ounce lemon juice

3/4 ounce pear shrub syrup

1/4 ounce St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram

1 egg white

1 ounce Rekorderlig pear cider

For garnish

Cinnamon tincture

Dried pear chip

Instructions

To make pear shrub: Wash and cut pears into slices. Place them in clean glass jar. Cover the pears with apple cider vinegar and close the jar tightly. Place in a cool dark place, such as a cabinet, and let sit for at least two weeks. Shake the jar slightly every other day.

When ready strain the pears out and discard them. Measure 4 parts flavored vinegar to 3 parts sugar. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce and simmer for 10 minutes. Place into a clean mason jar for storage. If tightly sealed, the syrup will last up to 6 months.

To make the cocktail: Add all ingredients to shaker tin, except cider. Dry shake to emulsify egg white. Add ice and shake hard. Add cider and double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with cinnamon tincture and dried pear chip.