Name: Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup sugar; 5 cubes frozen ginger; 4-5 sage leaves; 1 ½ oz bourbon; 2 oz fresh pear juice; 2 oz ginger ale; 1 tbsp ginger sage simple syrup; 1 pear (for garnish); Sage leaves (for garnish)

If you’re looking for a festive, refreshing drink to elevate your holiday gatherings, let me introduce you to a real crowd-pleaser: the Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe. This sparkling sip blends the warmth of bourbon with crisp pear juice and a hint of ginger and sage, making it perfect for those cozy fall evenings or any occasion when you want a drink that tastes like autumn in a glass.

The image shows three clear, short glasses filled with a light yellow drink, each glass having a textured, diamond-like pattern near the base. Floating inside each glass is a thin, curved slice of pear that leans against the inner edge, colored pale yellow with a light brown edge. Each drink is topped with a small bunch of green leaves, likely sage, protruding upward next to the pear slice. Behind the glasses are five whole pears, round and brownish-yellow with a rough texture, arranged loosely on a white marbled surface. The photo is bright and clean, focusing closely on the drinks while softly blurring the pears in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 — Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers, autumn cocktail recipes, festive fall drinks, pear bourbon drinks, holiday spritzers

Jump to:

In the Kitchen
Ingredients at a Glance
How to Make Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe
Things to Remember
Ways to Serve It
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Full Printable Recipe

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In the Kitchen

I love how this Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe brings together bright, fresh flavors with a cozy, boozy twist. It’s a simple cocktail that feels special but won’t have you stuck behind the bar all evening.

Juicy and Tender Every Time: Using fresh pear juice really makes the drink pop—it’s sweet but still light and refreshing.
Golden, Satisfying Finish: Bourbon adds just the right depth and warmth to balance out the zing of ginger and sage.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: The ginger sage simple syrup is a game-changer—it’s easy to make and adds complexity without fuss.
Weeknight to Weekend Ready: Whether it’s a casual dinner or Thanksgiving celebration, this spritzer feels equally at home.

Ingredients at a Glance

Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe - Recipe Image — Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers, autumn cocktail recipes, festive fall drinks, pear bourbon drinks, holiday spritzers

Choosing fresh, quality ingredients makes a world of difference in this Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe. Picking ripe pears and fresh herbs will elevate every sip.

Fresh Pears: Look for firm but ripe pears, like Bartlett or Bosc, for naturally sweet, juicy pear juice.
Bourbon: Opt for a smooth, mid-range bourbon that you enjoy sipping on its own—it’ll shine in this cocktail.
Fresh Sage Leaves: Use vibrant green leaves to infuse the syrup with a gentle, earthy aroma.
Frozen Ginger Cubes: If you can’t find fresh ginger, frozen cubes keep it convenient without sacrificing flavor.
Ginger Ale: Choose a spicy or natural ginger ale for the best zing and bubbles.

Heads-Up: Exact measurements and full details are available in the printable recipe card at the bottom, so you can follow along easily while prepping.

How to Make Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe

Step 1 — Make the Ginger Sage Simple Syrup

Start by bringing equal parts water and sugar to a gentle simmer—about 1 cup each works great. Once it’s simmering, add your frozen ginger cubes and fresh sage leaves. Let everything infuse for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the syrup is fragrant and slightly thickened. This step is key because the flavors of ginger and sage need time to meld fully, so don’t rush it. After cooling, strain out the solids to get a smooth, fragrant syrup that will give your spritzers that signature personality.

Step 2 — Press Fresh Pear Juice

If you have a juicer, fresh pear juice is as simple as feeding in peeled and cored fruit. Otherwise, you can puree pears in a blender and strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to separate the juice. Fresh juice brightens the cocktail in a way bottled just can’t match, offering floral sweetness and crispness. If you don’t have fresh pears, a high-quality pear nectar can work in a pinch—just make sure it’s unsweetened to balance the syrup correctly.

Step 3 — Build and Assemble Your Spritzers

Into a large glass filled with ice, pour 1 ½ ounces of bourbon, 2 ounces of fresh pear juice, and 1 tablespoon of your ginger sage simple syrup. Give it a gentle stir to combine. Top off the glass with about 2 ounces of ginger ale for fizz and a touch of spicy sweetness. As you pour, you’ll notice the bubbles bringing the flavors alive—this sparkling layer is what makes the spritzers so refreshing and easy to sip.

Step 4 — Garnish for Flair and Fresh Aroma

Finish by threading a thin pear slice and a fresh sage leaf onto a cocktail pick or dropping them right into the glass. The garnish isn’t just for looks—it adds a subtle fresh note with every sip and makes your spritzers feel polished and festive. I love when the pear slice catches the light, looking toasty and golden even before the first drink.

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Things to Remember

Once you’ve mastered the basics of this Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe, these little insights help keep your drinks bright and balanced every time you make them.

Doneness Cue: Look for the syrup to thicken slightly and take on a glossy sheen—flavor should be fragrant but not burnt.
Temperature Trick: Always use chilled juice and ginger ale; warm ingredients can dull the carbonation fast.
Make-Ahead Move: Prepare the ginger sage simple syrup up to a week ahead—it stores beautifully in the fridge.
Common Pitfall: Don’t over-sweeten. The pear juice and syrup should complement, not overpower, the bourbon’s warmth.

Ways to Serve It

Finishing Touches

For a truly special touch, serve your spritzers in vintage coupe glasses or clear highballs to let that glowing amber color shine through. Add a cinnamon stick as an optional stirrer for a warm aroma that plays wonderfully with the bourbon’s caramel notes. I’ve found that the visual aspect makes the drink feel even more celebratory and inviting.

Plays Well With

This spritzer pairs beautifully with richer dishes typical of Thanksgiving but also with lighter fare like roasted vegetables or salads topped with toasted nuts. The combination of sweet, spicy, and herbal flavors cuts through fatty textures and refreshes your palate between bites. I often serve it alongside a sharp cheddar cheese board for a casual pre-dinner toast.

Simple Plating Upgrades

Keep it easy but festive by placing a sprig of sage beside each glass on the tray or rim the glasses with a little sugar mixed with ground ginger. For a little wow factor, float thin apple or pear slices directly in the spritzer, adding subtle sweetness and a pretty garnish without extra effort.

Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh

Storing Leftovers

While these spritzers are best enjoyed fresh, you can store any leftover ginger sage simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. The assembled cocktail isn’t great for storing because of the bubbles, but the components keep well separately.

Freezing Tips

Freezing the spritzers isn’t recommended because carbonation and fresh juice don’t freeze well. However, if you freeze the ginger sage syrup in ice cube trays, you’ll have perfectly portioned flavor bursts ready to thaw and mix into fresh cocktails anytime.

Reheating Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe Without Drying Out

Since this is a cold, sparkling beverage, reheating isn’t part of the plan. If you want a warm bourbon drink for colder days, try infusing bourbon with similar flavors but serve it straight or in a mulled style instead of sparkling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bottled pear juice instead of fresh?

Yes, but I recommend an unsweetened or lightly sweetened pear nectar for the best flavor. Fresh juice adds brightness that bottled juice often lacks, so if you can, fresh is worth the extra effort.

How long does the ginger sage simple syrup keep?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the syrup lasts about one week. The herbal and spicy notes hold up well, so feel free to make it ahead for stress-free entertaining.

Can I substitute bourbon with another spirit?

You can experiment with rye whiskey or even a spiced rum, but bourbon offers the perfect balance of sweetness and warmth that complements the pear and ginger perfectly.

Does the sage flavor come through strongly?

The sage is subtle and aromatic, providing an earthy backdrop rather than a sharp herbal note. It enhances the complexity without overpowering the drink.

Final Thoughts

Crafting this Thanksgiving Bourbon Pear Spritzers Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday rituals because it’s both simple to pull together and sophisticated in flavor. You’ll enjoy impressing your guests with a drink that tastes thoughtfully seasonal without feeling fussy. Once you make the ginger sage syrup and fresh pear juice, the rest of the spritzer practically assembles itself. I hope this cocktail brightens your celebrations and inspires you to get a little creative with warm spices and crisp fruit.

Full Printable Recipe