Nothing quite beats the cozy warmth and fresh brightness of a well-crafted mocktail, and this Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe hits just that perfect spot. Imagine juicy pears mingling with zesty citrus and a sweet maple kiss, all wrapped up in gentle autumn spices — it's a delightful, refreshing treat you’ll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This mocktail brings together fall flavors in such a vibrant way, it’s like a little celebration in a glass. I’m seriously obsessed with how simple ingredients make such an elegant, layered drink — and the best part? No alcohol needed, so anyone can enjoy!
- Layered Flavors: The combination of pear, citrus, and warming spices creates a balanced, complex profile that dances on your palate.
- Natural Sweetness: Using pure maple syrup instead of refined sugar gives this mocktail a rich, earthy sweetness that feels wholesome.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy night in or a festive gathering, this mocktail fits right in without the fuss of alcohol.
- Simple and Fresh: Fresh ingredients and easy prep mean you don't need a pro bartender’s skills to impress your guests.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe brings together fresh fruit, warm spices, and a touch of sparkle that really elevates each sip. Each ingredient plays a key role — I always appreciate using whole, quality components for the best flavor.
- D’Anjou pears: Their sweetness and firm texture hold up nicely while cooking and provide a subtle floral fruitiness.
- Orange (sliced & juice): Adds bright citrus oils from the peel and fresh juice to brighten and balance the sweet spices.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps carry flavors smoothly and adds a beautiful silky mouthfeel to the cooked fruit.
- Pure maple syrup: A rich, natural sweetener that pairs wonderfully with pear and spices, adding depth.
- Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice: Warm cozy spices that bring that festive, comforting vibe, without overpowering.
- Filtered water: Keeps things light and hydrating, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
- Freshly-squeezed orange juice: Adds a fresh, tangy layer to brighten the drink right before serving.
- Ginger beer: Provides a refreshing fizz and subtle zing that makes this mocktail truly special.
- Rosemary sprigs (optional): Earthy herbal aroma for garnish that adds a charming touch.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe depending on the season or mood. You can easily adjust the sweetness, spice level, or even the fizz to make it your signature drink.
- Variation: One time, I swapped out ginger beer for sparkling water with a splash of fresh ginger juice for a lighter, less sweet vibe — it was surprisingly refreshing and perfect for warmer days.
- Dietary tweak: For those avoiding sugar, try using a sugar-free maple flavor or reduce syrup slightly and increase citrus to balance flavors.
- Seasonal spin: Swap orange for blood orange or grapefruit slices for a different citrus twist that still pairs beautifully with pear.
- Alcoholic option: Add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum if you want an adult version, but I find the mocktail version satisfying and complex enough on its own.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Pears and Oranges
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice 2 medium D’Anjou pears and one orange, leaving the skins on for extra flavor and color. Toss the slices in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, then spread them out on a baking sheet. Roast for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through until they’re tender and lightly caramelized. This roasting really enhances those natural sugars and softens the fruit beautifully.
Step 2: Blend the Spiced Mixture
Once your fruit is out of the oven and sitting a bit cooler, pop them into a blender with ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, and 2 cups filtered water. Blend it until smooth but still a bit thick—this is the flavorful base of your mocktail.
Step 3: Add Fresh Orange Juice & Maple Syrup
Pour in the juice of one freshly squeezed orange, along with 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Stir well to combine. This fresh juice brightens the drink, balancing out the warm spices and smooth maple sweetness.
Step 4: Assemble & Serve with Ginger Beer
Fill your serving glasses halfway with the pear-citrus mixture. Top off with chilled ginger beer to add fizz and a spicy note. Give it a gentle stir and garnish with a rosemary sprig if you like that herbal aroma — I find it makes the drink feel extra festive.
Top Tip
Having made this Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe numerous times, I’ve found a few little tricks really make a difference to nail the flavor and presentation every time.
- Warm the spices gently: Roasting fruit softens the texture and helps spices infuse better, so don’t skip that step—it’s the flavor secret!
- Adjust sweetener after blending: I always taste before adding the maple syrup at the end, so I can tweak sweetness to my liking without overpowering the fresh citrus notes.
- Use fresh citrus juice: Bottled juice won’t give that bright zing — fresh squeezed makes this mocktail shine.
- Don’t forget the fizz: Ginger beer adds essential bubbles and a hint of spice that elevates the drink beyond just juice and syrup.
How to Serve Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe
Garnishes
I always go for fresh rosemary sprigs — they add a rustic charm and lovely aroma that makes you pause and take a deeper breath before each sip. Thin orange slices or even a star anise pod look beautiful too and hint at the spices inside.
Side Dishes
This mocktail pairs amazingly well with light, savory snacks like spiced nuts, cheese boards featuring goat cheese and honey, or even a warm apple and brie crostini. It’s perfect for brunch or a casual get-together.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve served this mocktail in clear glass mugs with cinnamon sticks as stirrers and a little sprinkle of nutmeg on top — it looks as cozy as it tastes. You could also freeze orange slices as ice cubes to keep the drink cold without diluting its flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover spiced pear-citrus base, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the ginger beer separate until right before serving to maintain that fresh fizz.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing the entire mocktail because ginger beer loses its carbonation, but you can freeze the fruit-spice base in ice cube trays and thaw small amounts as needed for fresh drinks.
Reheating
If you want a warm version, gently heat the spiced pear mixture on the stove without boiling, then pour into mugs and top with a splash of warmed ginger beer or sparkling water — it makes a lovely autumn-winter warm drink.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While D’Anjou pears work great for their firm texture and sweetness, Bartlett or Bosc pears also make excellent substitutes. Just make sure they’re ripe but firm to avoid mushy results when roasting.
The spice levels are mild and warming, thanks to the balanced use of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. If you prefer a stronger spice kick, you can easily increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of ground cloves.
Yes! You can prepare the pear-citrus-spice base up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated. Remember to add ginger beer and fresh orange juice just before serving for the best taste and fizz.
If you don’t have ginger beer, you can substitute with sparkling water mixed with a little fresh grated ginger for spice. Though it won’t be quite as sweet or spicy, it still adds refreshing bubbles and a subtle kick.
Final Thoughts
This Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe quickly became one of my favorite non-alcoholic drinks to share with friends and family. It’s just so inviting and full of comforting flavors you don’t usually find in mocktails. Honestly, once you’ve had this, you’ll want to keep it in your rotation for cozy nights or festive brunches alike. Give it a try—you’re going to love the way the sweetness, spice, and zest come together like a warm hug in a glass.
Print
Spiced Maple Pear Mocktail Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A cozy and refreshing Spiced Maple Citrus Pear Mocktail combining the sweet and tangy flavors of pear, orange, and pure maple syrup with warm spices and a hint of ginger beer for a delightful non-alcoholic beverage.
Ingredients
For the Spiced Pear Citrus Base
- 2 medium D’Anjou pears, sliced (skin on)
- 1 orange, sliced (skin on)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 cups filtered water
For the Mocktail Mix
- 1 orange, freshly-squeezed
- 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
- pinch of ground cinnamon
- ginger beer, for topping
- Rosemary sprigs, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Spiced Pear Citrus Base: In a saucepan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced pears and orange with their skin on, sautéing gently for a few minutes until slightly softened.
- Add Sweeteners and Spices: Stir in the pure maple syrup, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Cook for a few minutes to blend the flavors and allow the spices to toast slightly.
- Simmer the Mixture: Pour in 2 cups of filtered water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 15-20 minutes until the fruit is tender and the flavors have infused the liquid.
- Strain and Cool: Remove from heat and strain the spiced fruit liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a container. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Mix the Mocktail: In a pitcher or individual glasses, combine the freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup, and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Add the cooled spiced pear citrus base and stir well.
- Serve with Ginger Beer: Pour the mocktail into glasses, topping each with ginger beer to add fizz. Garnish with rosemary sprigs if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately for a refreshing, cozy drink perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm D’Anjou pears to maintain texture during cooking.
- For an alcoholic version, add a splash of bourbon or spiced rum.
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of maple syrup to taste.
- Ginger beer adds a spicy fizz, but sparkling water can be a lighter alternative.
- Rosemary sprigs provide a lovely aromatic garnish but are optional.
- Can be served warm or chilled depending on preference.
- Ensure the citrus fruit is washed well if keeping the skin on to avoid bitterness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 394 kcal
- Sugar: 66 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 85 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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