Pear & Elderflower Spritz

In this autumnal twist on the spritz, pears are vigorously shaken with vodka, elderflower liqueur and citrus bitters to release the fruit’s orchard sweetness — the riper the pear, the more flavourful the drink. 

By Charlene Rooke

1 ripe pear, cut into ½-inch (1-cm) pieces with skin on
1 oz vodka
½ oz elderflower liqueur
2 dashes citrus cocktail bitters, such as Dillon’s Lime Bitters or Lemon Bitters (optional)
2 oz sparkling wine 
Thin pear slice or slices, for garnish 

Place pear, vodka, liqueur and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Shake hard until pear pieces break down, about 30 seconds. Fine-strain into a chilled wineglass. Add ice and top with sparkling wine. Lightly stir and garnish with pear slices on a cocktail pick.

Makes 1 cocktail