Spiced Pear Cider
Warm perry mulled with cinnamon, star anise, vanilla and fresh ginger — a fragrant, mellow alternative to apple cider, soft and gently sweet.
Ingredients
- 500 ml pear cider — perry, or pear juice for a softer drink
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 1 vanilla pod — split lengthways
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 20 g caster sugar — optional, to taste
Method
- Pour the pear cider into a pan and add the cinnamon, star anise, split vanilla pod and ginger slices.
- Warm gently over a low heat, never letting it boil.
- Stir in a little sugar if you prefer it sweeter, tasting as you go.
- Let the spices infuse for around ten minutes at about 65°C.
- Strain into heatproof mugs and serve warm.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof mug
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 65°C
- Garnish
- Star anise and a thin pear slice
Pear cider, or perry, is a gentler cousin of the apple ciders that fill the winter mulling pot. Soft, faintly floral and naturally sweet, it takes beautifully to warming with cinnamon, star anise, vanilla and ginger. The result is a fragrant, mellow drink that offers a welcome change from the more familiar apple version.
Why pear rewards mulling
Perry has a delicate, almost honeyed quality that the right spices can frame without smothering. Vanilla and star anise in particular bring out its softness, while fresh ginger adds a clean, warming bite. Because pear is already sweet, you can often skip the sugar altogether, letting the fruit speak for itself.
Warming it well
Keep the pan below a simmer throughout, both to protect the alcohol in the perry and to stop the spices turning bitter. Around ten minutes of gentle infusion is plenty to draw out their aroma. For a non-alcoholic version, pear juice steps in seamlessly and the method stays exactly the same.
If you enjoy this orchard-led warmth, you may also like Hot Apple Gin, which leans on cloudy apple and gentle spice for a similarly cosy effect. It makes a natural partner when you want a spirit-forward option alongside your mulled perry. The full recipe can be found in our guide to Hot Apple Gin.
Strain into warmed mugs and finish each with a star anise and a thin slice of pear.
Frequently asked questions
What is perry?
Perry is a fermented drink made from pears, much as cider is made from apples. It tends to be softer and a touch more floral, making it lovely for mulling.
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes. Simply use pear juice in place of perry. You will lose a little body but keep all the fragrant spice and pear sweetness.
Do I need to add sugar?
Often not. Pear cider and juice are naturally sweet, so taste first and add sugar only if you feel it needs it.
Related recipes
Mulled Apple Cider
Warm spiced apple cider — orchard-sweet, fragrant with cinnamon and clove, and easy to make alcoholic or alcohol-free.
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Warm Vanilla Apple Cider
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