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 oh-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.
How to Make Sage-Fig Cocktail
OK, enough chatting. Let’s start mixing. For this cocktail, you 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 if you can 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, bring equal parts water and sugar along with a handful of fresh sage leaves to a high simmer. Give the simple syrup a stir here and there to help dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar dissolves, 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.
Once the sage-infused simple syrup is ready, you’re just minutes away from a delicious cocktail. Slice the figs in half, add them to your 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, so I included a link below.
After you muddle the figs in the cocktail shaker, add the sage-infused simple syrup, lemon juice, Grand Marnier, rum and ice. Pop on the top and give it a good shake for about 15 seconds. 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 and more authentic. 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.
Perfect Pairing for Sage-Fig Cocktail
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.
I hope you put this sage-fig cocktail on your fall menu and take advantage of fig season while it lasts. If you do, please let me know how you enjoyed it and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter.
Cheers!
Wait, You Like Pretty Cocktails? I like pretty cocktails! Check out these Burrata and Bubbles recipes.
- Cucumber-lavender gin fizz
- Blood orange-rosemary gin and tonic
- Blackberry-cucumber-vanilla vodka spritzer
Sage-Fig Cocktail
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Let’s make the most of fig season with this sage-fig cocktail. Featuring a sage simple syrup, fresh figs and rum, this cocktail is tasty and oh-so pretty.
Ingredients
For Sage-Infused Simple Syrup
3–4 sage sprigs
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
For Sage-Fig Cocktail
2 black mission figs, halved
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce Grand Marnier
1 ounce sage-infused simple syrup
1/2 lemon, juiced
Ice
Club soda, to top
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine sage, water and sugar. Over medium-high heat, bring to a high simmer. 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.
- Muddle the figs in a cocktail shaker until they mostly break down. Add rum, Grand Marnier, sage-infused simple syrup, lemon juice and ice. Put on the top of the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 15 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.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 7
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: fig cocktail, rum, fig, sage, sage cocktail
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!
I hope you find them! I’ve had luck at Whole Foods.
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.
★★★★★
You’re welcome and thank you! I think it’s definitely a good excuse to pick up some more sage.
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.
★★★★★
So fun! Hope y’all love it. Cheers!
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.
★★★★★
Thank you! Definitely agree on brunch. 😀
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!
★★★★★
I think so! I definitely get a pinky-up vibe. 😀
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!
★★★★★
For sure! Hope you enjoy it.
Figs are one of my favorite fruits so I know I would love these. Excellent photography.
★★★★★
Awww, thank you so much!
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!
Ohhh, I’m a little jealous. That sounds amazing!
This looks yummy and figs are my fav, perfect for the fall, I think I will have to make this!
★★★★★
Totally! I hope you love it.
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.
★★★★★
Seriously! I hope you love it as much as I do.
I love the season when fresh figs are available just wish the season was longer and with the sage – must be so delicious!!!
This sounds so delicious! I haven’t done much fig-eating but I think this would be a great way to start!
★★★★★
I most definitely agree!
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!
★★★★★
Cheers to a fellow fig lover! Thank you so much, and your blog is beautiful!