Happy Hour Friday: Roasted Pear Vodka Fizz

I recently had the pleasure of bartending a happy hour holiday party and was asked to create two specialty cocktails. I wanted to feature drinks that had the feeling of fall/winter so I chose one bourbon cocktail (the Bouldin Creek Boiler Maker, previously posted) and one infused vodka cocktail, the Roasted Pear Vodka Fizz. I infused the vodka with roasted pears and added some ginger simple syrup as a complimentary component. The drink was a big hit so I want to share it with you! Easy as pie to do and not terribly sweet, it is sure to please all palates.

Roasted Pear Vodka Fizz

1.5 oz. roasted pear infused vodka*

.5 oz. ginger simple syrup**

.25 oz. fresh lemon juice

club soda or other fizzy water - choose one with big bubbles

candied ginger for garnish

In a highball glass filled with ice combine the vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice then fill with bubbly water. Stir very well. Garnish with a small piece of candied ginger on a cocktail sword.

*To make the roasted pear vodka, choose something with a little bite like Tito's. Quarter 4 ripened Bosc pears and roast them in the oven at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes or until they caramelize. Cool, then add them to one 750ml bottle of vodka. I use my iced tea pitcher to do this, then strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth back into the vodka bottle. Store in the refrigerator.

**To make the ginger simple syrup boil one cup of sugar with one cup of water and 1/2 cup grated fresh ginger for 1 minute, then cool for an hour (or until your syrup has a nice ginger bite to it). Strain and add about 4 tablespoons of plain vodka - this stabilizes the sugar and prevents bacteria growth. Store in the refrigerator.