As we gear up for comfort food, let’s not forget what truly makes us warm and fuzzy inside: cocktails! (And we all know I enjoy a good cocktail.)  And of course, Fall being my favorite season, you would expect I have a few fantastic autumnal cocktails up my sleeve.  I promise you won’t be disappointed with this easy pear martini.  Using good quality pear nectar, coupled with Absolut Pear Vodka, this martini tastes as if you have bitten into a perfect, sweet pear… only with an added kick.  The key to this simple drink is to use good quality ingredients.   Pear nectar (fancy word for juice) is available at most grocery stores these days (usually located in the juice aisle).  There are a couple of companies who offer fruit nectar, but I prefer the brand, Hero, for its true flavor and texture.  Along with being thick and silky, the nectar is actually slightly gritty; it mimics that wonderfully sugary, sandy texture of a pear.  It is the closest you can get without poaching and pureeing your own pears.

So while I enjoy this martini at the end of a long work day, it would be a fantastic starter for a dinner party or a great addition to any cocktail gathering.  Without a laundry list of ingredients, it whips up quick and goes down even faster.

Recipe: Pear Martini