Red Wine Poached Pears are an elegant and visually stunning dessert featuring tender, juicy pears simmered in a rich, spiced red wine syrup. This classic French-inspired dish is perfect for dinner parties, romantic evenings, or a festive holiday treat. The deep red hue and fragrant aroma make it as beautiful as it is delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant and Sophisticated: A gourmet dessert with minimal effort.
- Rich and Aromatic: Infused with red wine, cinnamon, and citrus for deep flavor.
- Naturally Sweetened: No heavy frosting—just pure, delicate sweetness.
- Great for Entertaining: Can be made ahead of time for stress-free serving.
- Versatile Pairings: Serve with ice cream, whipped cream, or chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Poached Pears:
- 4 firm pears (Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett)
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise (optional)
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- Zest of 1 orange
- Juice of ½ an orange
For Serving (Optional):
- Whipped cream or mascarpone
- Vanilla ice cream
- Dark chocolate drizzle
- Toasted nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios)
Directions
1. Prepare the Pears
- Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for a refined look.
- Slice a small section off the bottom of each pear so they stand upright.
2. Make the Poaching Liquid
- In a large saucepan, combine the red wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, vanilla bean, orange zest, and orange juice.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Poach the Pears
- Submerge the pears in the wine mixture. If needed, add a little water to fully cover them.
- Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, turning the pears occasionally for even coloring.
- The pears are done when tender but still hold their shape. Test with a knife—it should slide in easily.
4. Reduce the Sauce
- Remove the pears and set them aside.
- Increase heat to medium-high and reduce the poaching liquid until it thickens into a syrup (about 10 minutes).
- Strain the sauce to remove spices and zest.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Place each pear on a serving plate.
- Drizzle with the reduced wine syrup.
- Serve warm or chilled with your favorite toppings.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- White Wine Poached Pears: Use a dry white wine and replace cinnamon with cardamom.
- Honey-Sweetened: Swap sugar for honey or maple syrup.
- Chocolate Dipped Pears: Drizzle with melted dark chocolate for a decadent finish.
- Spiced Pears: Add nutmeg, ginger, or bay leaves for extra warmth.
- Alcohol-Free: Use pomegranate juice instead of wine for a non-alcoholic version.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store pears and syrup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture may change.
- Reheating: Warm gently in the microwave or stovetop before serving.
FAQs
What type of pears are best for poaching?
Bosc, Anjou, or Bartlett pears hold their shape well when poached.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Poach the pears a day in advance and refrigerate them in the syrup.
How do I get an even color on the pears?
Turn the pears occasionally while poaching to ensure even absorption of the wine.
What’s the best way to thicken the syrup?
Simmer the poaching liquid until it reduces to a syrupy consistency.
Can I use leftover syrup?
Yes! Drizzle it over pancakes, yogurt, or ice cream.
Can I poach pears without wine?
Yes! Use a mix of fruit juice and water with spices for a non-alcoholic version.
What wine works best for poaching?
Dry red wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Pinot Noir provide the best depth of flavor.
Should I serve these warm or cold?
Both work! Warm for a cozy dessert, or chilled for a refreshing treat.
Can I reuse the poaching liquid?
Yes! Use it to poach another batch of pears or make a delicious cocktail syrup.
What pairs well with poached pears?
Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, mascarpone, toasted nuts, or dark chocolate.
Conclusion
Red Wine Poached Pears are an easy yet elegant dessert that impresses with both flavor and presentation. Whether served warm or chilled, they bring a touch of sophistication to any meal. Try this classic dish today and enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and rich red wine!
Red Wine Poached Pears
These Red Wine Poached Pears are an elegant and flavorful dessert, featuring juicy pears simmered in a spiced red wine syrup. Infused with cinnamon, citrus, and vanilla, these tender, ruby-red pears are perfect for holiday dinners, romantic occasions, or gourmet plating. Serve with whipped cream, mascarpone, or ice cream for an irresistible treat!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: French / Gourmet
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Servings: 4
- 4 ripe but firm pears (Bosc or Anjou work best)
- 2 cups red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 2 cloves
- 1 strip orange zest
- 1 strip lemon zest
- 1 cup water
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pears:
- Peel the pears, leaving the stems intact for an elegant presentation.
- Slice a small portion off the bottom so they stand upright.
2. Make the Poaching Liquid:
- In a saucepan, combine red wine, sugar, water, cinnamon stick, vanilla bean (split), cloves, and citrus zest.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
3. Poach the Pears:
- Gently place the pears in the poaching liquid, ensuring they are fully submerged (use a small plate to weigh them down if needed).
- Simmer for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally for even color absorption.
- Remove the pears and set them aside to cool slightly.
4. Reduce the Sauce:
- Increase the heat and simmer the remaining liquid until it thickens into a syrupy glaze (about 10-15 minutes).
- Strain the sauce to remove spices.
5. Serve & Enjoy:
- Plate the pears upright and drizzle with the red wine reduction.
- Serve warm or chilled with whipped cream, mascarpone, or vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Best pears? Bosc and Anjou hold their shape well.
- No red wine? Use pomegranate juice or cranberry juice for an alcohol-free version.
- Want extra spice? Add star anise or cardamom to the poaching liquid.