If you like herby and spiced drinks, you’ll love this rosemary, pear and cardamom alcohol-free martini.
Complex and delicious, this mocktail has a beautifully rounded flavor of rosemary and pear with an undercurrent of warm cardamom spice.
Savory on the nose, yet lightly sweetened on the palate, there are layers of flavor to enjoy in this sophisticated sipper – along with its impressively long finish.
Luscious, elegant and a breeze to make: what more could you want?
Ingredients
- ½ oz. (15 ml) cardamom syrup (see below)
- 2 oz. (60 ml) pear juice
- 1 oz. (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon (approx. ½ large lemon)
- ½ sprig of rosemary + ½ to garnish
- Lemon slice to garnish
- Ice
For the cardamom syrup:
- 4 oz. (120 ml) water
- 4 oz. (120 g) sugar
- 6 cardamom pods, crushed
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed saucepan with lid
- Wooden spoon or heat proof silicone spatula
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Bowl
- Citrus juicer
- Muddler
- Cocktail shaker
- Martini glass
Instructions
- First, make the cardamom syrup.
- Into a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add the water, sugar and crushed cardamom seeds.
- Stir frequently until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Take the saucepan off the heat, put the lid on, and leave the syrup to infuse for 30-60 minutes.
- Pass the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cardamom and reserve the syrup.
- Next, assemble the mocktail.
- Muddle the rosemary and lemon juice in the cocktail shaker.
- Add the pear juice, cardamom syrup and a handful of ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is extremely cold.
- Strain into a martini glass.
Note: You may want to use a fine-mesh sieve to catch any small fragments of rosemary from the shaker. Ideally, you do not want any of the rosemary leaves in the final drink. - Garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of rosemary (optional).
Note: Any unused cardamom syrup can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (or in the freezer for up to 2 months).
Similar Mocktails
If you liked Pear Affaire, check out:
- Pink Panther: Raspberry, Orange and Cardamom Non-alcoholic Martini
- Falsetto Sour: Alcohol-Free Amaretto Sour
Rosemary, Pear and Cardamom Alcohol-Free Martini FAQ
Can I use something else instead of pear juice?
Yes, apple or white grape juice are good substitutes for pear juice in this recipe. However, feel free to experiment with other fruit juices and let us know what you think!
Do I need to strain the drink?
Yes, it is important to strain the liquid from the shaker into the martini glass to separate the rosemary leaves from the final mocktail. The rosemary leaves are strong and sharp, and will not be pleasant to drink.
How long can I store the cardamom syrup?
You can keep any leftover cardamom syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to two months.
Should I use fresh or store-bought pear juice?
I used store-bought pear juice for this rosemary, pear and cardamom alcohol-free martini. However, if you can find ripe pears, freshly made juice would be delicious too. If you decide to buy the pear juice, look for brands without added sugar or preservatives as it will give a fresher taste to the final mocktail.
Can I substitute the rosemary for another herb?
Yes, you can experiment with different herbs for this recipe. Thyme or tarragon could be interesting alternatives to rosemary.
Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
For the best results, I would recommend using fresh rosemary. However, at a pinch, you can use dried rosemary instead. Start by muddling a ¼ teaspoon and adjust according to your taste.
What glass should I use for this mocktail?
This rosemary, pear and cardamom alcohol-free martini is best served straight up in a martini glass. If you do not have a martini glass, you could serve it in any small stemmed glass, or over ice in a rocks glass (or tumbler) instead.
Can I make this mocktail in advance?
You should assemble and shake the mocktail just before you are ready to serve it. However, you can make the cardamom syrup up to two weeks in advance.
Do I need a cocktail shaker to make this recipe?
The cocktail shaker is used to mix the ingredients and quickly bring down the temperature of the drink. If you do not have a cocktail shaker, you could use a glass filled with ice to accomplish the same results. Simply stir all ingredients until the liquid is ice cold. Then, strain through a fine-mesh sieve into the martini glass.
Did you make this? Tag me @mightymocktail or use the hashtag #mightymocktail!