If you’re looking for a holiday cocktail that screams festive without screaming complicated, the Spiced Pear Bellini is it. This sparkling drink is the perfect mix of cozy fall spices, crisp pear flavor, and bubbly Prosecco. It’s quick to prep, crowd-friendly, and trust me—it looks like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
I first stumbled on this drink when trying to find a Thanksgiving cocktail that wasn’t just another cranberry spritzer or pumpkin spiced latte copycat. Enter the Spiced Pear Bellini, and let’s just say it’s been making yearly appearances ever since.
Jump to
- Why the Spiced Pear Bellini Belongs on Your Thanksgiving Menu
- Ingredients You’ll Need for the Spiced Pear Bellini
- How to Make the Perfect Spiced Pear Bellini
- Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Hosts
- Serving the Spiced Pear Bellini for a Crowd
- Variations on the Classic Spiced Pear Bellini
- Nutrition and Health Notes
- My Thanksgiving Story with Spiced Pear Bellini
- FAQs
- Related recipes
- Final thoughts
Why the Spiced Pear Bellini Belongs on Your Thanksgiving Menu
Thanksgiving is about family, food, and a little sparkle in your glass. The Spiced Pear Bellini checks all the boxes:
- Seasonal flavors – Pear and cinnamon give the drink that “fall in a glass” vibe.
- Make-ahead friendly – You prep the spiced pear nectar the night before, so no last-minute stress.
- Crowd pleaser – One batch makes about 15 drinks. Perfect if Uncle Joe “forgets” to bring the wine.
- Light and fruity – Less heavy than eggnog or bourbon cocktails, which means you can sip without snoozing before dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need for the Spiced Pear Bellini
You only need five simple ingredients to pull this off:
- 33.8-ounce bottle pear nectar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 bottles chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine
That’s it. No hard-to-find liqueurs or fancy bitters. Just pantry staples and a little sparkle.
How to Make the Perfect Spiced Pear Bellini
This recipe comes together in three easy steps:
Step 1: Infuse the Pear Nectar
Combine the pear nectar, cinnamon sticks, ground cardamom, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let it steep for at least an hour. This is where the warm spice flavors work their magic.
Step 2: Chill the Mixture
Remove the cinnamon sticks, transfer the mixture to a pitcher, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Overnight is even better—it deepens the flavor.
Step 3: Pour and Top with Bubbles
For each drink, pour about two fingers of the spiced pear mixture into a Champagne flute. Top with chilled Prosecco, and boom—you’ve got a Spiced Pear Bellini that looks straight out of a restaurant menu.
Make-Ahead Tips for Busy Hosts
If you’re the Thanksgiving host juggling turkey, sides, and pies, the last thing you need is a complicated drink. Luckily, the Spiced Pear Bellini is made for prepping ahead:
- Make the spiced pear base a full day in advance.
- Store it covered in the fridge.
- When guests arrive, just pop open the Prosecco and you’re ready to serve.
This also frees up your stove on the big day—a win for anyone who has fought over burner space while the gravy is bubbling.
Serving the Spiced Pear Bellini for a Crowd
This drink isn’t just for one or two guests. It’s designed to scale.
- Yield: One batch of the pear base makes about 15 cocktails.
- Bubbly math: Each bottle of Prosecco yields around 5 servings. With three bottles, you’re covered for a medium-sized gathering.
- Presentation idea: Serve it in a punch bowl or glass dispenser with thin pear slices floating on top. It doubles as table décor.
Variations on the Classic Spiced Pear Bellini
The beauty of the Spiced Pear Bellini is how flexible it is. Here are some fun twists:
- Fresh Pear Puree: Swap bottled nectar for blended fresh pears if you’re feeling fancy.
- Herbal Touch: Garnish with rosemary or thyme for an earthy note.
- Extra Spice: Add star anise or nutmeg for deeper warmth.
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Use sparkling apple cider instead of Prosecco. Perfect for kids, expectant moms, or anyone skipping alcohol.
- Brandy Boost: Stir in a splash of pear brandy if you want a stronger cocktail.
Nutrition and Health Notes
Each Spiced Pear Bellini is surprisingly light compared to cream-based holiday drinks.
- Calories: Around 120–130 per glass (varies with Prosecco brand).
- Sugar: Most of the sweetness comes from the nectar—no heavy syrups here.
- Weight-conscious option: Choose a dry sparkling wine to cut the sweetness.
- Gluten-free and vegan friendly: Unless you’re using unusual Prosecco brands, this drink fits most diets.
So yes, you can sip a couple of these without blowing up your calorie count for the day.
My Thanksgiving Story with Spiced Pear Bellini
The first time I served the Spiced Pear Bellini at Thanksgiving, I was nervous—half my family are wine snobs, the other half drink beer out of red Solo cups. I wasn’t sure anyone would go for it.
But as soon as the pear-spice aroma hit the air and the flutes started clinking, everyone was hooked. Even my dad, who usually thinks “cocktails are for brunch,” asked for seconds. And that’s when I knew this wasn’t just a one-off—it became a tradition.
FAQs
A classic Bellini is peach puree + Prosecco. A mimosa is orange juice + Champagne. The Spiced Pear Bellini swaps in pear nectar and fall spices for a cozy seasonal twist.
Yes. If you can’t find pear nectar, pear juice works fine. You may need to adjust the sugar since nectar is usually sweeter.
Up to a week in the fridge. Just give it a stir before using.
Absolutely—make a mocktail version by topping the pear mixture with sparkling water or apple cider.
Stick with a dry Prosecco or sparkling wine. Sweet versions can overpower the spices and make the drink too heavy.
Related recipes
Try our pumpkin bread pairing
Pair your Bellini with this pumpkin muffins with cream cheese
Spiced Pear Bellini – A Thanksgiving Drink You’ll Actually Want Seconds Of
- Total Time: 15 minutes + chilling time
- Yield: 15 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A festive Thanksgiving cocktail with cozy fall spices, crisp pear flavor, and bubbly Prosecco. Easy to prep, light, and perfect for a crowd.
Ingredients
- 33.8-ounce bottle pear nectar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 bottles chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine
Instructions
- Combine pear nectar, cinnamon sticks, ground cardamom, and sugar in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, remove from heat, cover, and steep for at least 1 hour.
- Remove cinnamon sticks and transfer mixture to a pitcher.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- For each drink, pour about two fingers of the spiced pear mixture into a Champagne flute.
- Top with chilled Prosecco and serve.
Notes
Make the spiced pear base a day in advance to save time. Store in the fridge for up to a week. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute sparkling apple cider.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Stovetop + Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Final thoughts
Thanksgiving already has the heavy hitters—turkey, stuffing, pie. What it doesn’t always have is a light, refreshing cocktail that ties everything together. The Spiced Pear Bellini delivers just that.
It’s festive, foolproof, and flexible. Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or a laid-back Friendsgiving, this cocktail earns its spot at the table. So grab some pear nectar, pick up a couple bottles of bubbly, and get ready to serve the drink everyone will be talking about long after the leftovers are gone.
Cheers, and happy Thanksgiving!
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