Grey Goose La Poire :: French for "Fabulous Pear Perfection"

I know I'm horribly behind the curve, but I finally had the chance to try La Poire- the "new" pear-flavored ultra premium vodka from our favorite vodka company, Grey Goose. When I saw that they describe it as "a taste of pear-flavored perfection" I was a bit leery; after trying it however, I realized how right they were, and immediately built a shrine to the pear goddess in my living room.

Not usually one to enjoy flavored liquors (I find most of them too artificial tasting and overly strong), I enjoyed La Poire because the flavor was subtle, not-too-sweet, and made for extremely refreshing- and unique- cocktails that were also really easy to make- something that's of supreme importance in my book.

Being Grey Goose, the flavor that's used is of course extremely high quality and natural- an essence of Buerre d'Anjou; Anjou Pears. When added to their super premium, five-step distilled vodka, it creates a light, softly scented, and fabulous tasting liquor that's as wonderful to sip "straight" over ice as it is to mix in your favorite sweet martini or more traditional cocktails, giving them a new twist of fun and flavor.

Personally, I loved Grey Goose's "Peartini," "Tuscan Pear" (a perfectly refreshing summer drink made of La Poire, limoncello and orange juice), and the "Pear, Poire"- an update on the Bellini and my new Sunday brunch staple. (You can find all these recipes- as well as many more- on the Grey Goose website.) I also found that substituting La Poire for regular vodka in my old standards- namely Cosmos, Gimlets, and Vodka Tonics- made them even more refreshing, modern, and perfect for summer.

Grey Goose La Poire is available in 75oml and 1litre bottles wherever liquor is sold, nationwide. For more info and recipes, go to www.GREYGOOSE.com