Most gin drinks lean hard into the botanical, herbaceous side of things—which is great if you’re into that whole “drinking a forest” vibe. But the Juniper & Pear Gin Fizz takes a different approach.
It doubles down on gin’s signature juniper note with homemade syrup, then softens everything with sweet, delicate pear. The result? A drink that’s bright, refreshing, and sophisticated without being intimidating, while still celebrating the juniper flavor we all love.
And yes, my husband and I LOVE juniper in our gin. I love floral and seasonal cocktails, but my husband leans more savory and herb-forward, so this is the perfect middle-of-the-road cocktail for us on a quiet Friday night while we wait for the kids to get home from whatever friend’s house they are at that night.
Why This Works
Pear is one of those underrated cocktail ingredients that deserves way more attention. It’s sweet but not cloying, fruity but subtle, and it has this elegant, almost floral quality that plays beautifully with gin’s botanicals. By making your own juniper syrup, you’re amplifying what makes gin gin in the first place, creating a drink that feels cohesive and intentional rather than just “gin plus random fruit and sugar.”
The fizz element keeps everything light and refreshing—this isn’t a sipper, it’s a drink that practically begs to be enjoyed on a sunny afternoon or as a palate cleanser before dinner in the colder months.
Juniper & Pear Gin Fizz Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz juniper syrup
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz pear purée
- Soda water to top
- Ice
Instructions
- Combine gin, juniper syrup, lemon juice, and pear purée in a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake well until chilled
- Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice
- Top with soda water and stir gently
- Garnish with a thin pear slice and a sprig of juniper (or rosemary if juniper’s hard to find), or you can throw a pansy on top if you have a few still left in your cocktail flower garden.
Grab our homemade juniper syrup recipe
Give it a Twist
Elderflower Garden Fizz: Add a dash (about ¼ oz) of elderflower liqueur like St-Germain before shaking. The floral notes add another layer of complexity and make the drink feel even more garden-party elegant. It’s subtle but noticeable—think of it as the drink’s way of putting on jewelry.
Mocktail Version
Replace the gin with 2 oz of juniper tea (steep juniper berries in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then chill) or use a quality tonic water for that quinine bite. You’ll still get the piney, botanical character without the alcohol.
Pro Tips
- Can’t find pear purée? Peel and blend a ripe pear with a tiny splash of water, then strain if you want it super smooth
- Asian pears work beautifully here if you can find them—they’re juicier and have a slightly different flavor profile
- Fresh lemon juice only, always—this drink lives and dies by that bright citrus punch
- If you can’t find juniper berries, some specialty stores sell them, or you can order online.
- In a pinch, use a London Dry gin (which is already heavy on juniper) and swap in simple syrup
- Go easy on the soda—you want effervescence, not a watered-down mess. Start with 2 oz and adjust to taste
