Let's make the most of fig season with this sage-fig cocktail! Featuring a sage simple syrup, fresh figs, sweet orange liqueur and rum, this tasty and oh-so pretty cocktail is the perfect welcome to the fall.
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Sometimes life isn't fair. How can fresh figs be so delicious yet only available for such a short time? Sigh. Well, the best we can do is make the most of fig season, and I have just the recipe for you: a sage-fig cocktail with a healthy dose of rum.
Besides incorporating one of my favorite seasonal treats, I especially adore this cocktail for its pretty color. Anything in blush pink —- cocktail or otherwise —- makes me swoon. Is it weird to like a cocktail for its color? If it is, go ahead and call me weird because this cocktail is so pretty, and that makes me happy.
On top of that gorgeous hue, I love how the sweet fig and savory sage flavors complement each other without one overpowering the other. The sage comes through in an infused simple syrup while we muddle fresh figs to get that signature jammy sweetness. The two flavors meld together like equal partners who just want to work together to bring you the most delicious cocktail possible. How nice of them.
Step-by-Step Instructions
OK, enough chatting. Let's start mixing. For this cocktail, we need a sage-infused simple syrup, fresh black mission figs, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, white rum, ice and club soda. With infused simple syrup, it's best to make it ahead of time. This gives the simple syrup time for the sage to steep for a stronger flavor as well as a chance to cool.
To make the sage-infused simple syrup, we bring equal parts water and sugar along with a handful of fresh sage leaves to a high simmer. We give the simple syrup a stir here and there to help dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar dissolves, we turn off the heat and let the sage steep for at least 30 minutes.
Of course, if you don't get around to making the simple syrup beforehand, you can still make it right before cocktail time and give it less time to steep. Just know that the sage flavor won't be as prominent, and you may want to use a little extra ice in the next step.
Once the sage-infused simple syrup is ready, we're just minutes away from a delicious cocktail. We slice the figs in half, add them to our cocktail shaker and muddle until they break down.
If you don't have a fancy muddler, you can use the blunt end of a cooking spoon. That said, a muddler is definitely worth picking up if you enjoy making cocktails at home.
After we muddle the figs in the cocktail shaker, we add the sage-infused simple syrup, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, rum and ice and then pop on the top and give it a good shake. About 15 to 30 seconds works.
As you can see, figs have a lot of seeds. That just comes with the territory. I don't mind the seeds because it makes the drink seem fresher in my brain. Plus, I enjoy the added texture. However, if you're not into seeds, you might want to strain the cocktail over a cheese cloth-lined fine-mesh sieve.
Once we strain, we top this fall cocktail with club soda for a bubbly kick, gently stir and sip away.
What if I Can't Find Fresh Figs?
Considering the short growing season of figs, you can't always find them fresh. But don't worry. That doesn't mean you can only make this cocktail when you have fresh figs on hand.
For those times, we can instead add a cup of dried figs to the simple syrup with the sage. Dried figs give a richer, more concentrated flavor. The color won't be the same as pictured, and the flavor will be a bit different, but it's a delicious option when you can't get fresh figs.
Perfect Pairing
Figs are delicious with caramelized onions and blue cheese, and I just happen to have the perfect recipe: caramelized onion polenta with a blue cheese sauce. I love the way fig and the caramelization from the onions mimic each other with their sweet, rich flavors, and the blue cheese offers a salty, briny contrast. This sage-fig cocktail and that caramelized onion polenta were made for each other.
Or maybe you can't get enough figs. In that case, you'll love my baked Brie with fig and Kahlua sauce. This is easily one of my favorite fall appetizers.
I hope you put this sage-fig cocktail on your fall menu and take advantage of fig season while it lasts. Please let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comment section and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. You can also catch me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.
Cheers!
Looking for More Fall Cocktails?
Sage-Fig Cocktail
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Cocktail shaker
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or small measuring cup
Ingredients
Sage Simple Syrup
- 3-4 fresh sage sprigs
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
Sage-Fig Cocktail
- 2 black mission figs halved (see note if fresh figs aren't available for dried fig alternative)
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce orange liqueur preferably Grand Marnier
- 1 ounce sage simple syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Chilled club soda for topping
Instructions
Sage Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine sage, water and sugar. Over medium-high heat, bring to a boil. Frequently stir to help dissolve sugar.
- Once the mixture simmers and the sugar dissolves, turn off heat, allow the sage to steep for at least 30 minutes and strain. Chill and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for several weeks.
Sage-Fig Cocktail
- Muddle the figs in a cocktail shaker until they mostly break down. Add rum, Grand Marnier, sage simple syrup, lemon juice and ice.
- Put on the top of the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glasses and top with club soda. Enjoy!
Notes
- Figs have a lot of seeds, so if you want a seedless cocktail, strain the cocktail over a cheese cloth-lined fine-mesh sieve.
- If you can't find fresh figs, you can add a cup of dried figs to the simple syrup with the sage. Dried figs have a richer flavor than fresh figs, but it will still be super tasty and infuse plenty of fig flavor.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Hailey B says
Is there another liquor other than white rum that would work well with these flavors? Some of my bunch are not into rum, but this cocktail looks amazing! Or does the rum go really well?
Thanks!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hey, Hailey! Do they like bourbon/whiskey? I haven’t tried bourbon specifically with this recipe, but I’ve used it with another fig cocktail, and it was excellent. Vodka is pretty neutral, so I imagine that could work. I bet a reposado tequila would be nice too! Reposado ages in oak barrels for a few months, so I think the oak and vanilla notes would work well. Let me know what you end up using! I’d love to hear how it turned out.
Hailey B says
Awesome, thanks! We love Reposado Tequila and whiskey, I'll play with it and check back in!
Ramona says
What a great combination, I definitely need to try it as I never thought of pairing the two. This cocktail looks so refreshing and I am sure the flavours are simply divine.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
They're so delicious together! I think you'll love it.
Chelsey says
What a beautiful drink! I love figs (as you could probably tell from my blogs name), and I love what you’ve done with them in this drink, especially paired with sage!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Cheers to a fellow fig lover! Thank you so much, and your blog is beautiful!
Stephanie Simmons says
This sounds so delicious! I haven't done much fig-eating but I think this would be a great way to start!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I most definitely agree!
Chef Mireille says
I love the season when fresh figs are available just wish the season was longer and with the sage - must be so delicious!!!
Mirlene says
The recipe for this cocktail is amazing! YES, life is not fair - we should be able to have figs all year round. Pinning to try later.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Seriously! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Michelle says
This looks yummy and figs are my fav, perfect for the fall, I think I will have to make this!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Totally! I hope you love it.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love figs too! Luckily they grow nearly everywhere here in Italy and I have a neighbouring farmer who lets me pick from his trees! Never made a cocktail with them. Great idea. Def want to try it!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Ohhh, I'm a little jealous. That sounds amazing!
Shernell P Cooke says
Figs are one of my favorite fruits so I know I would love these. Excellent photography.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Awww, thank you so much!
Adriana Lopez Martn says
Figs are my favorite fruit; the season goes so short though. It is difficult to find them fresh, but I have some at home need to make this sage figs cocktail sounds like a great fall libation, cheers!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure! Hope you enjoy it.
April says
I think this is one of the best ways to blend the sweetness of the fig with the savory flavor of the sage! Not to mention that this cocktail will make any party look so classy!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I think so! I definitely get a pinky-up vibe. ?
Gloria says
What an interesting way to use figs. I would never have thought to use them in a cocktail. What a pretty drink. Perfect to enjoy any afternoon, and great as a brunch item too.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! Definitely agree on brunch. ?
Kelly Anthony says
I'm also a sucker for blush colored drinks and this one has me drooling. Can't wait to serve this to my girlfriends. They are going to fall in love.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
So fun! Hope y'all love it. Cheers!
Stine Mari says
I am a sucker for pretty cocktails in all sorts of colors, too! And this is no exception, a beautiful cocktail and it does sound absolutely drool worthy! I just used all my sage in the garden, but there are still so many things I want to make with sage (including this!!) so I think I have to buy another. Thank you for sharing.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're welcome and thank you! I think it's definitely a good excuse to pick up some more sage.
Deryn says
I'm gathering up some fun cocktails for the holidays and this sounds just perfect. I love figs so much! I can't always find fresh ones but I'll have to really keep my eyes open for them now!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you find them! I've had luck at Whole Foods.