This is such a simple pear vodka cocktail! We are upgrading a classic cranberry vodka and using pear vodka, which adds a lovely, fruity sweetness. It’s also perfect for the holidays!

This upgraded vodka cranberry made with pear vodka is one of my favorite holiday cocktails. It’s pretty, easy to make for many, and it feels special thanks to the pear vodka. Our recipe below shares how to make one cocktail, but check the notes for my tips for making this in a pitcher to serve a crowd!

This is one of many cocktail recipes on Inspired Taste. A few more you might enjoy is this lemon drop martini (I love the lemon sugar), our classic cosmopolitan, and another crowd-friendly cocktail, the mimosa!

Key Ingredients

• Pear Vodka: Use good-quality pear vodka (we like Grey Goose La Poire). Feel free to substitute for other flavored or infused vodkas, such as citrus, orange, and peach.
• Cranberry Juice: The most common option is “cranberry juice cocktail,” which adds some sugar. You can also find unsweetened cranberry juice, which is much more tart. Use what you love, but keep in mind that if you use unsweetened juice, you may need to add a sweetener to the cocktail to balance it out.
• Triple Sec: This orange-flavored liqueur adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of citrus that complements the tart cranberry. You can make this cocktail without it, but if you have it on hand, try it.
• Lime: I love squeezing a wedge of lime into the glass and think it brings everything together.
• Pear Slices and Mint: These are optional, but if you plan to serve this during the holidays, they make the cocktail look extra special.

Cranberry Pear Vodka Cocktail

This is such a simple cocktail recipe! We are upgrading a classic cranberry vodka and using pear vodka, which adds a lovely, fruity sweetness. I use a bottled cranberry cocktail, which has a bit of sugar added. If you use unsweetened cranberry juice, you might need a bit of sweetener to balance the cocktail.

Makes 1 cocktail

You Will Need

1 ½ ounces pear vodka

4 ounces cranberry juice

1/2 ounce triple sec

1 lime wedge

Ice

Fresh pear slices and fresh mint for garnish

Directions

1Fill a highball glass with ice.

2Add the pear vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice.

3Squeeze the lime wedge over the drink and drop it in. Garnish with pear slice and fresh mint.

Adam and Joanne’s Tips

• Cranberry juice: 100% cranberry juice is usually unsweetened, so you may need some sweetener (see note below). Cranberry juice cocktail usually has a bit of sugar added.
• Make sweeter: If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a teaspoon of simple syrup, agave nectar, or maple syrup. This lemon ginger syrup would also be pretty delicious.
• Make a pitcher serving 6: Combine 6 ounces pear vodka, 2 cups (16oz) cranberry juice, 2 ounces triple sec, and the juice of 1/2 a lime in a pitcher. Stir well, taste, and adjust with a sweetener or more lime. Serve over ice.
• Nutrition facts are estimates.

Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size
1 cocktail
/
Calories
218
/
Total Fat
0.2g
/
Saturated Fat
0g
/
Cholesterol
0mg
/
Sodium
3.7mg
/
Carbohydrate
22.5g
/
Dietary Fiber
0g
/
Total Sugars
19.9g
/
Protein
0g

AUTHOR:

Adam Gallagher

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Our favorite shrimp cocktail recipe skips poaching or boiling and roasts the shrimp instead. It’s easy to make and guarantees juicy, tender shrimp every time.

We both love shrimp cocktail and can never resist ordering it at restaurants. It’s such a simple but impressive appetizer, and I know it will always be a hit with my friends and family. Whenever we make this recipe, it’s one of the first dishes to disappear.

The secret to the best shrimp cocktail is roasting the shrimp. It’s quick, hard to overcook, and adds extra flavor from the olive oil and lemon. Once you try our method, you’ll never go back to boiling again. That said, if you prefer the classic approach, we also have a great poached shrimp you can try!

Key Ingredients

• Shrimp: Use fresh, high-quality jumbo or large shrimp for this. I like to leave the tails on since it makes dipping into the cocktail sauce easier and looks nice for serving. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then pat dry with paper towels before roasting.
• Olive Oil: I prefer roasting the shrimp with olive oil or avocado oil for their flavor. I save my extra-virgin olive oil for other dishes since it has a lower smoke point.
• Lemon: For an extra layer of flavor, grate some lemon zest with a microplane and toss it with the shrimp before roasting. You can then use the rest of the lemon for serving!
• Salt and Pepper: I season generously with salt and pepper, but feel free to add more flavor with your favorite spice blends. Our Cajun seasoning is a particular favorite in my household, but Old Bay, or other seafood blends would be lovely.
• Cocktail Sauce: You can use a high-quality store-bought cocktail sauce or make our homemade version below with ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a touch of hot sauce. Tartar sauce is really delicious, too.

Find the full recipe with measurements below.

How to Make the Best Shrimp Cocktail

Tip 1: Pat the shrimp dry. Damp food won’t roast properly, it steams, instead. Before roasting, pat the shrimp really dry with paper towels. Then toss them with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.

Tip 2: Roast the shrimp. Spread the seasoned shrimp into a single layer on a baking sheet. Roasting them too close together will cause them to steam and become soggy. Then, roast them until the shrimp are pink, firm, and cooked through (5 to 10 minutes, depending on their size).

Tip 3: Serve warm or cold. While they are usually served chilled, these roasted shrimp are delicious warm, too. To serve cold, transfer the roasted shrimp to a plate and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving these shrimp alongside lemon wedges and cocktail sauce (recipe below), but they are fantastic served other ways, too. I especially love using these shrimp to make shrimp salad or adding them to my favorite salads. I love them on top of this Greek salad, Caesar salad, our orzo pasta salad, or this hearty quinoa black bean salad!

More Shrimp Recipes

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