I love mixing up cocktails that feel both refreshing and a little unexpected. A Pear and Sage Collins does exactly that by blending crisp pear flavor with the earthy taste of fresh sage.
Honestly, this cocktail gives you a simple way to enjoy a twist on the classic Collins without complicated steps or searching for rare ingredients. You get the brightness of pear balanced with the herbal note of sage, making it perfect for a relaxed evening or a small gathering.
The recipe’s easy to follow, and you only need a few tools to put it together. As you go through the recipe and tasting notes, you’ll notice how each part of the drink works together to create a clean, balanced flavor.
It’s a cocktail that feels special without being fussy. You can make it at home in just a few minutes.
Pear And Sage Collins Cocktail Recipe
I really like how this drink balances the soft sweetness of pear with the earthy taste of sage. Fresh lemon juice and gin bring brightness, while the pear puree makes it smooth and refreshing.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker – I use this to mix the puree, juice, and gin evenly.
- Muddler – This helps me press the sage leaves to release their oils.
- Fine mesh strainer – I strain the drink so it stays smooth without pulp.
- Jigger – I measure the gin, lemon juice, and syrup with this to keep the flavors balanced.
- Highball glass – I prefer this tall glass for serving with ice and soda water.
- Bar spoon – I use it to stir the soda water gently after shaking.
- Knife and small cutting board – These are for slicing pear and trimming sage.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz pear puree (made from ripe pears blended until smooth)
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 4–5 fresh sage leaves
- Soda water, to top
- Ice cubes
- Pear slice and sage sprig, for garnish
I always choose ripe pears for the puree because they give the drink a natural sweetness. Fresh sage leaves matter too—dried sage just doesn’t bring the same aroma.
Instructions
- Add sage leaves and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Muddle gently to release the sage oils without tearing the leaves.
- Pour in gin, lemon juice, and pear puree.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake for about 10–12 seconds.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and stir lightly with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with a pear slice and a fresh sage sprig.
I usually shake it hard enough to chill the drink but not so long that the flavors get watered down.
Notes
Honestly, using a homemade pear puree makes the cocktail taste so much fresher than the store-bought stuff. If the puree feels too thick, I just thin it with a splash of water before mixing.
The drink tastes best with a dry gin, since that balances the sweetness of the pear. Sometimes I adjust the simple syrup depending on how sweet the pears turn out.
Fresh lemon juice is key. Bottled juice changes the flavor and makes the drink less crisp.
I also recommend clapping the sage sprig before garnishing—it really brings out more aroma right at the top of the glass.
Equipment
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz pear puree from ripe pears
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 5 fresh sage leaves
- soda water to top
- ice cubes
- pear slice for garnish
- sage sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Add sage leaves and simple syrup to a shaker and muddle gently to release sage oils.
- Add gin, lemon juice, and pear puree. Add ice and shake for 10–12 seconds.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and stir lightly.
- Garnish with a pear slice and a fresh sage sprig.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Tasting Notes
Right away, the crisp pear flavor jumps out at me. It tastes fresh and just sweet enough, not heavy at all.
The fruit gives this drink a clean, smooth base—honestly, it’s kind of hard not to like that. Sage comes in next, adding this gentle herbal note. I’d call it earthy and calming, and it balances out the pear’s sweetness nicely.
It never dominates, just kind of hangs out in the background, which I appreciate. Then there’s the lemon—it brings a bright, light tartness that wakes up the whole thing.
The citrus keeps the drink from getting too sweet, and honestly, it sharpens the flavors in a way that feels pretty refreshing. Bubbles from the soda water add a lively texture.
I love how that fizz lifts everything and makes each sip feel lighter. Here’s how the flavors layer up:
- Pear: sweet and mellow
- Sage: herbal and grounding
- Lemon: bright and tart
- Soda water: crisp and fizzy
The mix of fruit, herb, and citrus really keeps things fresh. I like that it stays smooth and easy to drink—not too strong, just right.


























