Combine the freshness of Chenin Blanc with the aromatics and creamy texture of a ripe pear and you have a wonderful cocktail for fireside get-togethers.

Recipe for our Shaken Chenin Peartini

 Ingredients

15 ml sugar, for the rim

lemon-zest, for the rim

1 lemon wedge, for the rim

30 ml vodka

60 ml Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc

60 ml freshly squeezed pear juice (see how to below)

15 ml lemon juice

15 ml simple syrup (see recipe below)

ice, to fill the cocktail shaker

30 ml sparkling water

Simple syrup

250 ml (1 cup) water

220 g (1 cup) sugar

Freshly squeezed pear juice

Wash, peel, core, and chop 3 ripe pears and toss with some fresh lemon juice.

Juice or blend the pears, adding a splash of chilled water until it is smooth.

Strain through a fine mesh sieve.

Method

Combine the sugar with fresh lemon zest in a shallow bowl. Run the edge of a cut lemon along the rim of the glass and dip the edge in the lemon sugar. Place into the refrigerator to set while you mix the drink.

Add the vodka, wine, pear juice, lemon juice and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, put the lid on and shake well. Strain into a prepared Martini glass and top with the sparkling water.

Garnish with elegant slices of pear.