Falling Leaves

Day 2 of 31 Halloween cocktails that won’t rot your teeth (but might rot your brain)

As a former Oregonian, I can’t have a Halloween-themed cocktail list without including this fall-favorite ingredient: Clear Creek Distillery’s Pear Brandy.

Since pears ripen in the late summer to early fall, pear brandy offers seasonally appropriate sweetness and warmth without the over-saturation of pumpkin spice. Falling Leaves is the brainchild of Audrey Saunders, owner of the Pegu Club in New York. Sadly closed due to pandemic woes, Pegu Club is credited as one of the first “destination” craft cocktail bars. Thankfully, many of the recipes were recorded for us to still enjoy today.

Falling Leaves

2 oz dry Riesling
1 oz Clear Creek pear brandy
1/2 oz orange curaçao
1/4 oz honey syrup
5 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill. Strain into coupe glass and garnish with a star anise pod.

Honey Syrup

1/2 c honey (more for a stronger flavor)
1/2 c water

Heat ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey is dissolved. Once cool, pour it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one month.