With Pears 5 Ways, This Punch Is a Celebration of Our Favorite Fall Orchard Fruit

In the fall apples get plenty of love, but apple’s oblong cousin, the pear, is entirely underloved. This punch packs pear power. With pear not one but five ways — pear brandy, floral pear nectar, perry (pear hard cider), and a garnish of sliced pears — this effervescent punch celebrates fall and winter when pears are at their peak. 

Frequently asked questions 

What is Licor 43?

This Spanish liqueur is sweet and spiced, filled with silky caramel and vanilla notes. The liqueur is around 30% alcohol by volume, relatively high for a liqueur yet still a lot less boozy compared to most spirits. Its name is inspired by the 43 ingredients listed in the liqueur's original recipes, and the Spanish spelling for the word liqueur. It adds sweetness and depth to any cocktail, and the vanilla and spice notes pair perfectly with pears in this punch. 

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

While this punch is all about pears, if you’re looking to add a bit more sweetness, you can swap out the perry (sparkling pear hard cider) for hard apple cider. You’ll get the bubbles and orchard fruit flavor with a bit of extra juiciness from the apple flavor.

Find spiced pear liqueur at liquor stores or online at royalwines-spirits.com.

Make ahead

The punch base, without cider, can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add sparkling pear hard cider just before serving.