This Fall Sour Will Warm You Up

If you missed the opportunity to hike through rainbows of falling leaves this season, grab your cocktail shaker and take a liquid walk through fall as you sip the Hot Pear-fection, created by Jessica Lawson, bartender at Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar in Goshen, Kentucky.

“I wanted to take the structure of a classic Whiskey Sour and layer it with autumn,” she says. “It’s silky and warming, with the comforting spice of pear and chile riding the bold backbone of the bourbon.

Although the chile, whiskey, and spiced pear liqueur amplify the heat index, the drink isn't overpowering. The sweet note of pear comes through, as well as acidic lemon, and the egg white foam softens the edges, while the bitters bring it all into balance, Lawson says. “It’s rich but not heavy, spicy without burning. You taste orchard fruit and spice cabinet warmth in every sip.”

Hot Pear-fection

• 1 1/2 oz. Old Forester 100 (or other 100-proof bourbon)
• 1/2 oz. St. George Spiced Pear liqueur
• 1/4 oz. Ancho Reyes Mexican Chile liqueur
• 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• Freshly grated cinnamon and dehydrated pear slice (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, and dry shake 10 to 15 seconds to emulsify egg white and build foam. Add ice and hard shake again for another 15 seconds. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass and dust cinnamon on top. If desired, balance pear slice on the rim.