September 24, 2018

Sage-Fig Cocktail

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.