About
9/27/2012#DrinksAppsThursday

“ Say hello to fall with this refreshing cocktail that uses fresh vanilla beans for a beautiful aroma and flavor. Alex, Recipe Hunter ”

Alex Singer, NoshOnIt Recipe Hunter

THE RECIPE

Vanilla, Pear, and Vodka Cocktail

An aromatic and seasonal cocktail to impress your guests

As fall fruits are coming into season, there’s no reason they should be reserved for crumbles, pies, and eating out-of-hand. This cocktail captures the transition of seasons perfectly. Pear nectar adds body and sweetness, fresh seeds from a vanilla bean make the drink aromatic (and wonderfully speckled), and vodka provides a boozy kick that allows the other flavors to shine through. Rim your glasses with homemade vanilla sugar for a beautiful presentation and celebrate the end of summer in style.

THE CHEF

Sarah Erck Welle & Dulcie Faison Wilcox

Food & Cocktail Bloggers

Sarah Erck Welle & Dulcie Faison Wilcox from Two Tarts

“ We love to make simple seasonal food & cocktails that look beautiful but are uncomplicated and unfussy. ”

If we first eat with our eyes, then Sarah and Dulcie’s kitchens are the place we want to be. From their homes in Colorado, these two friends teamed up to share their simple, seasonal, and oh-so-beautiful recipes with the world through their blog, Two Tarts. With homemade ingredients and farm-to-table recipes, we love their fresh approach that lets the best of the season shine through with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

Make sure to say hello to Sarah and Dulcie on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

THE TIP

How to Make Vanilla Sugar

Did you know that you can make your own vanilla-infused sugar at home? Instead of buying the pre-packaged stuff, here’s how to make a batch that you can keep around for months:

Split one whole vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a knife into a large airtight container. Add the split bean and cover with sugar. Shake to combine and allow the mixture to infuse for 2 weeks before using.

If you keep topping up the sugar, you’ll be able to extract flavor out of a single vanilla bean for months. And, if you use vanilla beans in any other recipe, add the reserved beans to your container. It’s delicious in any recipe that calls for regular sugar and a spoon in your morning coffee will certainly brighten up your day.