Vanilla Pear Drop Recipe

This vanilla pear drop is kinda like a grown-up sweet shop in a glass — tangy from lemon juice, smoothed out with rich pear and warm vanilla. Feels a bit fancy but actually pretty chill to make, especially if you prep the syrup ahead. Sweet, tart, and surprisingly refreshing.

Ingredients Needed

For the Syrup:

• 1 pear, sliced
• 200g caster sugar
• 200ml water
• ½ vanilla pod, split

For the Drink:

• 50ml Grey Goose vodka
• 30ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 30ml pear & vanilla syrup (from above)

For Assembling:

• Ice cubes
• Thin pear slice, for garnish

How To Make Vanilla Pear Drop

1. Cook the Syrup: Add sliced pear, sugar, vanilla pod, and 200ml water to a small pan. Bring to a low simmer — let it bubble gently for 15 mins. Kinda smells like pie filling, not gonna lie.
2. Strain the Flavour: Take it off the heat, cool it down, then strain it through muslin or a fine sieve. You’ll end up with a smooth, golden syrup that keeps well.
3. Add the Vodka: In a shaker, combine vodka, lemon juice, and 30ml of the syrup. Fill it with ice.
4. Shake It Up: Shake hard for about 20 seconds. It should feel freezing on your hand.
5. Serve Cold: Strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a thin pear slice if you’re feeling fancy — or don’t, it still tastes amazing.

Why I Love This Recipe

First time I made this, it was honestly just because I had one sad pear rolling around and a leftover bit of vanilla pod. Didn’t expect much, but it hit exactly the right balance — tart, sweet, and kinda elegant without trying too hard. I’ve served it at parties and people always ask what’s in it.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t let the syrup boil too hard — just a light simmer is enough.
• Use fresh lemon juice — bottled won’t cut it here.
• Strain the syrup while warm — it flows easier.
• Grey Goose is great but any clean vodka works.
• You can double the syrup batch and store for a week.
• Shake with ice until cold enough to hurt — makes it super smooth.
• Garnish right before serving or the pear slice browns.

How To Store Vanilla Pear Drop

• At Room Temperature: Just the syrup (sealed), for a few hours max.
• In the Fridge: Store syrup in a jar up to 7 days. Cocktail itself? Drink fresh.
• In the Freezer: Syrup can freeze in small cubes. Vodka mix? Not ideal — texture goes weird.
• Reheating: For syrup only — gently warm if it crystallises.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: ~180 kcal
• Carbs: 20g
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 0g
• Sugar: 18g
• Fibre: 0g
• Sodium: 2mg

Let’s Answer a Few Questions!

• Q: Can I make the syrup ahead of time?
  A: Yep — make it a few days in advance. Store in the fridge in a clean jar.
• Q: What’s the best vodka to use?
  A: Any smooth, clean vodka works. Grey Goose is fancy but not mandatory.
• Q: Can I use bottled pear juice instead?
  A: Not really — the syrup gives more depth and sweetness. Totally different vibe.
• Q: Can I make this into a mocktail?
  A: Sure. Just skip the vodka and use sparkling water or tonic instead. Still lovely.