Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family, and cook.
About the Recipe
The drunken pear is a traditional dessert that makes use of seasonal fruit and aromatic red wine.
The slow cooking allows the fruit to absorb the color and fragrance of the syrup.
As with many Portuguese recipes, there are variations by region, family, and cook — with port, cinnamon, or anise.
Ingredients
- 4 firm pears
- 500 ml of red wine
- 150 g of sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Orange zest
- 2 cloves
- Juice of half a lemon
Preparation Method
- Peel the pears, keeping the stem if possible.
- Boil wine, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and zest.
- Add the pears and cook on low heat until tender.
- Turn occasionally for even coloring.
- Let cool in the syrup.
- Serve cold with a drizzle of syrup and, if desired, cream.
Tips from Empório Portugal
- Firm pears hold their shape during cooking.
- Preparing in advance intensifies flavor.
- Syrup can be reused in a second recipe.
Possible Substitutions in Brazil
- Port wine can replace red wine for a sweeter version.
- Firm apples can be used in a similar version.
Pairing
The wine from the syrup itself or old port. Content intended for those over 18 years old. Drink responsibly.
This recipe is part of the editorial curation of Empório Portugal, developed from Portuguese culinary tradition. Like all traditional recipes, it may vary according to region, family, and cook.
Send it to the Empório Portugal community. Submitted recipes undergo review before any publication.
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