Mulled Perry With Pears And Spices

Mulled Perry With Pears And Spices

Perry is sold as 'pear cider'. A wonderfully refreshing drink, even when warmed with sugar and spice. The smell as it fizzes on the stove is pure Christmas.

Enough for 6-8 glasses.

Ingredients:

2 large pears
a little butter
1 litre of pear cider
2 tbsp soft brown sugar
12 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
1 nutmeg, halved
the juice of a small orange

Method:

Peel and core the pears and cut them into large dice. Melt a thick slice of butter in a shallow pan, add the pears and leave them to soften for 10 minutes or so. They should be tender but still retain some shape.

Pour the pear cider into a stainless-steel saucepan, tip in the sugar then add the cloves, cinnamon sticks, and a fine grating of the nutmeg. Squeeze the orange into the cider and let it warm slowly, allowing it come almost to the boil. Lower the heat to keep it warm.

Divide the softened pears between the glasses, then pour in the spiced cider. Have some spoons around for the pears.

Alice35