Spiced Pear Spritz

An aromatic take on a champagne cocktail with cardamom and pear. Homemade syrups are easy to make and offer endless possibilities.

Ingredients

For the Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 tbsp cardamom pods, crushed with the handle of a knife or mortar and pestle

For assembly:

• 25ml Pear Juice

• 50ml Gin

• Prosecco / Champagne

Method

In a medium heavy bottomed pan, make the syrup by pouring in the sugar and water, and bringing to a light simmer on medium-low heat. Keep stirring and when all of the sugar has dissolved, add the crushed cardamom pods.

Reduce heat to low and leave to steep for around 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

To assemble the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in 1 tbsp of the cardamom syrup, followed by the pear juice and gin. Shake together until well chilled (about 15 seconds), strain into glass of choice and top up with chilled champagne/prosecco. Garnish with a candied kaffir lime leaf or a lemon or lime peel spiral.