Ginger Pear Spritzers
It felt so weird to take a day off from blogging yesterday. It was as though I was missing something all day.
I never imagined myself saying that but I think it’s official. I’m attached. I love the creativity I feel when I sit down to edit pictures and write. I look forward to reading all of your kind and encouraging comments that make every tiring moment worth it.
Sure, I’m a little embarrassed of my earlier posts {I used to vignette every single picture…?} but what’s done is done. I like to look at it as a learning experience that I will hopefully continue to grow from.
I am just so grateful for those of you who care enough to come back to see what I am up to everyday and I cherish the connections I have made with so many great people. Honestly, it’s a truly awesome feeling and it makes me so happy inside.
I’m not writing this because it’s an anniversary of any kind or because I took yesterday off for some grand reason. I guess I’m just feeling a little emotional today. This might also explain the current breakout on my chin.
Anyway, the small handful of people who have been reading from the start might remember seeing these spritzers a while back. They were one of the first things I made for the blog and at that point, they were more like an idea than an actual recipe. Not to mention that I took the pictures in direct sunlight. Eeesh.
I decided to try again, attempting to make them more from scratch or at least, as from scratch as it gets for someone who works two jobs and runs a blog on the side.
Instead of using store bought ginger ale, I made my own using honey, fresh ginger, club soda and a little bit of lime. For the pear nectar, I substituted a pear puree that is made by simply peeling and slicing a few pears then blending them with a little ice. I guess they’re more like Ginger Pear Slushy Spritzers this time around but they were still delicious.
The flavors of comforting ginger and slightly sweet pear are truly a match made in heaven.
Ginger Pear Spritzers
Ingredients
Ginger Ale
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1/4 cup +2 tablespoons filtered water
- 2 cups club soda or champagne if you’re feeling lucky
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
Pear Puree
- 2 pears, peeled and diced
- 4 ice cubes
Makes two 12 ounce spritzers (you can double the recipe for four)
Directions
Combine honey, ginger, and water in a small sauce pan and allow to simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes while continuing to stir. Remove from heat and let cool.
Strain syrup into a pitcher or large cup and add the club soda and lime juice. Stir until well mixed.
Place pears with ice in a blender and blend until a thick puree has formed.
Divide ginger ale into two separate glasses and top with pear puree. Garnish with a lime and serve.
This drink is a perfect way to welcome those slightly cool days that fall will soon bring.
Here’s to you…cheers!
I hope you all have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend! The only definite plans we have are to kick back with a football game and a few brewskies which is fine by me.
Am I the only one who feels like something’s missing when taking time away from blogging?
What’s your favorite way to use fresh ginger?
this sounds and looks delicious! I love the flavor combos.
I’m LOLing at your comment about having embarrassment about your earlier posts – I know exactly what you mean! I totally did not know how to picture edit when I first started blogging, and when I look at older posts, the pages take forever to load. Guess my files were too big and I was unaware of this at the time?! Ha.
On another note, YUM to these spritzers! I think they might be even better with some vodka added in?!?! Mmmm.
I’ve never thought to make homemade gingerale – grand idea! I went to buy some at the store the other week, but didn’t put it in my basket b/c it had HFCS. Homemade recipe sounds even better!
Blogging is such a learning experience. My first posts did not even have pictures… hah! I’m so glad you love it… it’s a wonderful thing. My blog feels like my baby :) I never have fresh ginger on hand but I usually like it in a lot of Asian dishes.
Oh girl, I can’t even begin to tell you how strange it feels to me when I don’t blog. I’m fine with taking the weekends off, but weekdays? It feels like there’s so much going on out there that I’m missing out on! And if I’m away for an extended period of time? I don’t even know where to begin to catch up. But blogging is a wonderful thing and I honestly couldn’t imagine life without it.
And I love the sound of these spritzers! Ginger ale is honestly one of my favourite fizzy drinks, but I’ve been avoiding it because of all the sugar. I’ve never thought to make my own, so I definitely might have to give it a try!
I know exactly what you mean! When I am away for awhile I actually feel so bad. It’s like I’ve left my readers down and a small part of me is missing. It’s a strange thing that only a blogger could understand ;). And these spritzer/slushies look amazing! I’m not a huge ginger fan but I’m tempted to give these a try.
These look so amazing! I absolutely love ginger. I might try making these this weekend!
Totally hooked on blogging too! I’m sure 6 months from now I will cringe at the posts I have now but such is life!
I absolutely love the combo of ginger & pear. This spritzer is right up my alley!
Happy to hear that you’ve officially drank the blogging kool-aid (although, I suppose for us it would have to be an all natural version sweetened with honey or stevia…) :-p
I never in a million years would have thought to make my own ginger ale. I love it, but I still to zevia to get my fix (unless I’m sick, then I need the real stuff) because of all the added sugar. I absolutely must try that!
Haha…exactly. All natural Kool-Aid all the way. :)
Ohh this looks delicious and perfect for this time of year! i love that you made your own ginger ale! i wish i had even half your skills in the kitchen!! and as always your photos are amazing. and ive actually been really emotional today and yesterday too and your intro sorta made me well up:) also, ive broken out on my forehead :)
You’re too kind Charlotte. I bet you could whip up something amazing. Or at least have a hilarious story to tell about it at the end. Emotions and break outs are so much fun, aren’t they? ;)
I love homemade ginger ale! I have never actually made it myself, but I had it at my favorite restaurant in Columbus, oh, North Star, and it blew me away! Not like the bottle at all! ;) Thanks for this recipe! Have a great Labor Day weekend girl!
I think it’s only normal that we all look back at our earlier posts and cringe a little :) Plus it’s nice to see how how far you’ve come and grown in such a short amount of time. I’m really happy I recently found your blog, you’re one hell of a photographer/writer/recipe developer! Triple threat right there.
Aw Alisha, you’re going to make me cry! I’m happy I found your blog too! :)
We love you too :-) Your blog is the first thing I read every day. I enjoy seeing what is going on back in the East Bay. And those drinks look amazing! I looooove pear and ginger. Will definitely have to give them a try!
You have no idea how happy your comment makes me Melissa. Thank you so much! xoxo
I have only been blogging for a little over 4 months and I have already looked back and cringed at some of my photos and posts…sad thing is I am sure I will look back in another 4 months and still be cringing! But, its such a fun journey and I am learning new things everyday and meeting some great people!
Girl, you did it again! Another amazing recipe that is RIGHT up my alley! Can I come over and we can sip on one of these together out in the sun?!
I would just love to have you over to sip one with me in the sun Miss Melanie! All I need is some patio furniture and we’re good to go! ;)
Homemade ginger ale? Fancy you! These look so delicious, I love pear drinks. Pear juice, pear ciders, pear spritzers!
PS: I totally know what you mean by embarrassing old posts. I reminisce sometimes and go through my old post and I wonder what the hell made me put that picture up or write that factoid! I guess it’s part of the growing experience. :)
I can 100% relate about feeling like you’re missing something if you take a day off from blogging! I miss my blends and reading comments. This mocktail (or cocktail, I do have some champagne sitting in my fridge!) looks like a perfectly refreshing way to close out summer. I love the addition of ginger!
I only blog three times a week, but I’ve found that sticking to that instead of trying to do it daily has really helped me not set myself up for failure! I too have fallen in love with blogging, and I definitely know what you mean about missing a day. This drink looks soooo refreshing, plus it’s totally gorg!
I agree that if you over do things with blogging, you could easily crash and burn.
It’s hard though because it’s so addicting!
I’ve gotten hooked on blogging too and mostly I love commenting on other people’s blogs and hearing about their day!
Happy Friday! Ginger is one of my all-time favorite foods (is it a food?!) and it’s so freaking good for you! What a fabulous way to combine it with a little bubbly :).
Looks so refreshing! I think it’s perfectly fine to take a blogging break! :)
ohh yummy! Looks awesome!
I totally agree with taking a blogging day off! It feels almost like you are cheating on it or something, hehe! Always feels weird missing posts, but sometimes we just need a break and sometimes life just takes over our days! At least for me!
These look so tasty! I can’t believe you made your own ginger ale! So impressive! Your pictures always look fab! Have a great weekend! :)
I’ve been blogging since March of this year, and it certainly is amazing how quickly it becomes such a big part of your life. I think about it all the time and even when I was away on vacation, last week I couldn’t help by log onto my computer. It’s crazy, but a good crazy! ;-)
This spritzers sound super tasty and so refreshing!
I’m in love with blogging too. Even though I’m starting a really busy internship next week and it might be better for my sanity to take some time off blogging, I really don’t want to. I love it too much!
I don’t often put a lot of effort into making drinks (the farthest I go is making a homemade latte or iced tea), but these look seriously fantastic and totally worth the effort. Pear and ginger is such a good flavour combination!
Blogging every day is impressive – I’m happy if I get three posts a week! And these spritzers look insanely delicious and refreshing!
I only blog 4 days a week but it feels weird to take a day off from my normal schedule. I could never blog 7 days a week and I can’t even begin to imagine blogging twice a day! That just seems crazy.
That looks so refreshing and delicious!! :)
I really love ginger beer / ginger ale as well as pears so I should give this a go.
I’m totally hooked on blogging too and am so sad that school has already taken away most of my blogging time. :( But I refuse to let it completely keep me from blogging!!
These spritzers look so refreshing!! I love fresh, ginger-packed ginger ale and with 1/4 cup of fresh ginger, I think I would love this! :)
Blogging everyday is so impressive! I’ve been such a slacker lately. My blog is lucky to see me once a week! (I’m working on it!)
You seriously should be a photographer. Your pictures are SO gorgeous! (Is it weird I”m calling pictures of spritzers gorgeous? Anyways, they are!) These look so fresh and cool! Yumm!
Pear and ginger have to be an amazing combination! I would love that with some champagne for sure!
These look amazing! I’m so excited to make these! Pear and ginger are great together, and I’ve been on a ginger kick recently so as luck has it, I have some in my fridge! I love it in my green juice.
Oh my gosh, this is pure BRILLIANCE! And absolutely STUNNING photography I might add…I practically licked my screen as I scrolled over each picture! I never even realized you could make your own ginger ale! And seriously, pear and ginger is one of my most favorite combos! Proof: http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2013/02/03/is-it-hot-in-here-or-is-it-just-me/ ;)