A whiskey cocktail with a star anise garnish

The Affordable Pear Act mixes Japanese whisky with pear brandy, pear syrup, lemon juice, bitters, and one egg white. (Photo by Jeff Harris)

This silky cocktail was created by Alec Pignotti, beverage manager at Recess in Chicago. It adds an extra layer of complexity to a Whisky Sour, with warm baking spices and Asian pears.

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz. Suntory Toki (or other Japanese whisky)
½ oz. pear brandy
½ oz. spiced pear syrup (recipe below)
¾ oz. lemon juice
1 egg white
1 dash Angostura bitters
1-2 whole star anise for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a tin-on-tin Boston shaker with ice. Hard shake for 10 seconds. Strain the ice and dry shake for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a coupe and garnish with star anise.

Spiced Pear Syrup

3 Asian pears
1 cup water
5 whole star anise
2 cups sugar

Remove skin, stems, and seeds from pears. Combine in a blender with water and star anise. Strain mixture through a fine strainer. In a pot, combine puree with sugar over high heat until sugar dissolves. Strain through a fine strainer into an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to two weeks.