Pear Elderflower Martini (with a Sparkling Twist)

Looking for a signature cocktail that’s elegant and simple to make? You’ll love this pear elderflower martini, which is light, flavorful, and so easy to pull together.

My recipe is inspired by a classic French Pear Martini. I’m obsessed with pear as a flavor. It’s unique and approachable, even if you’re new to cocktails. And sparkling wine adds a festive, celebratory touch.

Perfect for parties or small gatherings, this pear elderflower martini is an easy drink that’s sure to impress.

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Why You’ll Love This Pear Elderflower Martini

Traditionally, a French Pear Martini uses pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, and champagne. It’s so tasty — fruity and sweet. But as I was performing tests in the Haley’s Comment lab (for science), I felt that the cocktail was missing something. 

Adding just a small splash of fresh lemon juice gave it the brightness it needed. 

Ingredients

You only need four ingredients for this cocktail. You should be able to find all of them at a well-stocked liquor store or a major grocery store.

Pear Vodka

I used the Absolut brand, which is mid-range, and I thought it tasted great. If you want to spend a little more on French vodka (ooh la la), you can use Grey Goose La Poire, but I don’t think it’s necessary.

Elderflower Liqueur

I used the classic St. Germain brand, which is on the higher end. Not all elderflower liqueurs are created equal, so be careful in your selection.

I haven’t tried other brands, but figured that St. Germain is popular for a reason. Also, some reviews of other brands made me a little nervous (anyone else get stressed out by reviews?). In the end, the bottle is what convinced me. It’s gorgeous!

Note: Do not confuse elderflower syrup with elderflower liqueur, as they are different, although both are delicious.

Fresh Lemon Juice

I know, I know, it’s so tempting to use the bottled stuff. However, I really believe that, especially with cocktails, fresh citrus makes a big difference! You only need a small amount of lemon juice for this recipe. 

In a pinch, bottled will work, but try to snag a lemon if you can.

Champagne, Prosecco, or Sparkling Wine

Fun fact: what most people call Champagne is usually just sparkling wine by another name. Did you know that only the Champagne region in France is allowed to brand its sparkling wine as “Champagne”? International trade laws are wild.

Fortunately, sparkling wine doesn’t have to be called Champagne to taste amazing. Most sparkling wines will work for this cocktail, but ideally you should look for brut or medium-dry. You want something fruity but crisp that will cut the sweetness of the pear vodka and elderflower liqueur.

I have made this cocktail using both Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine and Trader Joe’s Secco Vino Frizzante. They’re at different price points, but I didn’t notice a major difference in taste.

In addition to these ingredients, you’ll also need a cocktail shaker and ice for shaking, as well as martini or coupe glasses for serving.

I love these gold-rimmed coupe glasses, especially for sparkling cocktails. 

Follow the recipe card below to mix your own pear elderflower martini.

Want a zero-proof version of this drink? Try my Sparkling Pear Elderflower Mocktail — it’s elegant and refreshing, but skips the alcohol.

How to Batch Pear Elderflower Martinis for a Crowd

This cocktail is also great for parties, if you’re looking to serve a crowd! While sparkling cocktails technically shouldn’t be batched, I tested this and found only minimal reduction in bubbles after an hour or two.

Just wait to add the sparkling wine until the last minute and keep it covered and refrigerated for as long as possible. 

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 12 oz (1 ½ Cups) Pear Vodka
• 12 oz (1 ½ Cups) Elderflower Liqueur
• 2 oz (¼ Cup) Fresh Lemon juice
• 24 oz (3 Cups, or ~1 750 ml Bottle) Sparkling Wine
• 8 oz (1 Cup) Water

Instructions

1. Chill all ingredients thoroughly. 
2. Combine pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and water in a large pitcher or drink dispenser, and chill. 
3. Top with sparkling wine just before serving. 
4. Serve immediately over large ice cubes.* 

*My batched recipe accounts for slight additional dilution from the large ice cubes, which I recommend for keeping batched cocktails cold.

Check out my post about how to make clear ice cubes at home for more info. If not serving over ice cubes, you can dilute with additional water to taste. 

FAQs

See answers to common questions about this pear elderflower martini recipe. 

Does it matter what brand of liquor I use?

I’ve only made this with Absolut pear vodka and St. Germain elderflower liqueur, so I can’t speak to other brands. I’d recommend at least mid-range liquor, since it’s a spirit-forward drink. There is some variation in quality, particularly with elderflower liqueurs, so be careful.

Does it matter what kind of champagne or sparkling wine I use?

Any bubbly will do: Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, or sparkling wine. I’ve tested it with both pricier and budget-friendly options and didn’t notice a major difference. Just be sure to go with a brut or medium-dry style to balance the sweetness.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

While I really recommend fresh citrus for cocktails, in a pinch, bottled can work. Since the amount is so small in this recipe, you probably won’t notice it as much as you would in a more citrus-forward drink. However, use fresh-squeezed for the best results. 

Can I make this ahead of time? 

While traditionally sparkling cocktails shouldn’t be made in advance, sometimes batched cocktails are necessary when you’re serving a crowd. 

If serving for a small group, I recommend shaking and pouring just before serving, but if you’re making the batched version, it should remain reasonably bubbly for an hour or two. You may lose some of the fizziness, but the flavor still shines through.

For best results, keep the pitcher chilled, wait until the last minute to add the sparkling wine, and consider serving over large ice cubes.

More Easy Drink Recipes

If you liked this martini, you might also enjoy these easy but elevated drink recipes.