Wash the pears, cut them into chunks, and place them in a saucepan with the water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for about 15 minutes, or until very soft.
Use an immersion blender to puree the pears and cooking liquid until smooth.
Line a fine-mesh strainer with a flour sack towel and place it over a bowl. Pour in the pear mixture and gently press the pulp to extract as much liquid as possible without forcing solids through the cloth.
Return the strained liquid to the saucepan, add the granulated sugar, and stir over low heat until completely dissolved and slightly thickened. Do not bring to a boil.
Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Pour it into a clean glass jar or bottle.
Cover tightly and refrigerate.
Notes
Choose ripe, fragrant pears for the sweetest, most flavorful syrup.
The syrup will continue to thicken slightly as it cools, so don't overcook it.
Substitute an 1/2 cup of mild honey for the sugar if you prefer a richer, more floral flavor.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or freeze in small portions for longer storage.
This syrup is delicious in coffee, tea, cocktails, lemonade, desserts, and baked goods.