Creamy Pear Lemonade
A velvety-smooth, refreshing blend of ripe pears and freshly squeezed lemons, enhanced with a touch of cream for richness. This elegant, easy-to-make beverage balances sweet and tangy notes in perfect harmony.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe pears Bartlett or Anjou work best, cored and chopped
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 6-8 lemons
- ½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free option
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup adjust to taste
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup ice cubes plus more for serving
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish optional
- Thin pear slices for garnish optional
Instructions
- Prepare the pears by washing them thoroughly, removing the cores, and cutting into chunks. No need to peel them if you’ll be straining the mixture later.
- Juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh juice. Avoid bottled lemon juice as it lacks the bright flavor essential to this recipe.
- Combine pear chunks, lemon juice, honey, and water in a blender and process until completely smooth, about 60-90 seconds.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher, pressing with a spoon to extract maximum liquid. This removes any fibrous bits for a silky-smooth texture.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla to the pitcher and stir gently until fully incorporated. The mixture will take on a beautiful pale yellow color.
- Chill thoroughly for at least 1 hour, or add ice cubes if serving immediately. The flavors meld and deepen when cold.
- Serve in tall glasses with additional ice, and garnish with mint leaves and thin pear slices if desired.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, use pears that yield slightly to pressure – they’re at their peak sweetness.
- This lemonade can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- For a festive twist, serve in sugar-rimmed glasses or add a splash of prosecco for an adult version.
- The natural pectin in pears might cause slight separation after standing – just stir gently before serving.
- Adding a tiny pinch of salt enhances both the sweetness and tanginess without making the drink salty.