This warming cocktail feels like being wrapped in a comforting blanket as the sun goes down on a summer's day

This gently spiced rum and pear warmer is proof that no good ingredient should go to waste. Made using the leftover poaching liquid from pears, it's a comforting cocktail that’s as elegant as it is easy. Serve the poached pears as a dessert for your al fresco supper menu.

Served warm in heatproof glasses or mugs, it’s the perfect fireside companion – comforting, aromatic, and just boozy enough to keep the chill at bay.

Ingredients

• Serves 6
• Pear poaching liquid (see below)
• 200ml dark rum
• Pared zest of 1 lemon
• For the pear poaching liquid
• 7 tbsp runny honey
• Pared zest and juice of ½ lemon
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ vanilla pod, split lengthways
• 4 firm pears

The Homes & Gardens method

1. For the pear poaching liquid: Put the honey, 17 fl oz water, lemon zest and juice and bay in a small saucepan that will fit the pears in one layer.
2. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla pod and save for ice cream recipes or another dessert. Add the leftover vanilla pod to the pan and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer.
3. Peel the pears and roll them into a bowl with the lemon juice. Add the pears to the pan, topping up with a little boiling water if the pears aren’t fully submerged, and simmer gently for 35-45 minutes, or until the pears are soft; the timing will depend on the ripeness of the fruit. Leave to cool in the pan, then store in the syrup until ready to use.
4. For the cocktail: Once you've used your pears, pour the pear-poaching liquid into a small pan and bring to the boil, boiling until reduced by half.
5. Just before serving, add the rum (to taste) and heat through, but don't let the drink boil again, or alcohol will evaporate.
6. Serve warm in heatproof glasses (Amazon has a wide range of surprisingly stylish heatproof glasses, mugs and cups), with a strip of lemon zest.

If this cocktail leaves you dreaming of homegrown pears next season, take it as inspiration to look into how to get a pear tree to fruit. A container-grown variety like this fast-growing 5-6ft. Kieffer Pear, from Walmart, is perfect for small gardens or courtyards.