A honey-fig whiskey sour uses the mild flavor of figs as a contrast to the sour lemon juice in this classic drink.
It's time for Progressive Eats again, and I'm hosting this month! For our theme, I chose figs. Figs have two seasons: the first in early June, and the second runs from late August through early October.
All of today's recipes in our Progressive Eats menu contain figs in some form: fresh, dried, jam, etc. If you've ever wondered what to do with figs besides stuff them with goat cheese or wrap them in prosciutto, we've got some ideas for you!
If a classic cocktail contains simple syrup, as whiskey sour usually does, a great way to make flavored variations on that cocktail is to flavor the simple syrup. Plain simple syrup is just equal parts sugar and water heated until the sugar dissolves. You can add fruit, herbs, spices, etc., to the syrup as it cools to infuse it with the flavor, as I did with my cranberry-cinnamon whiskey sour.
This "syrup" is even easier. Since fig spread is made with figs and sugar, all you need to do is add a little boiling water to thin the spread to make the syrup.
As written below, this cocktail is still more sour than sweet, with a mild fig flavor. If you prefer it on the sweeter side, simply add more fig syrup and/or honey to counteract the lemon juice.
You can make larger batches of the fig syrup by simply increasing the amounts as needed, and you can make it ahead of time and chilling it in the refrigerator until it is needed. If you can't find fig spread in the jams and jellies aisle, make sure to check your grocer's specialty cheese section, as it's often included there because it's a popular item on cheese boards.
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Honey-Fig Whiskey Sour
A honey-fig whiskey sour uses the mild flavor of figs as a contrast to the sour lemon juice in this classic drink.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp fig spread
- 1 tbsp boiling water
- 4 oz whiskey
- 1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsp honey, or more to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the fig spread and boiling water until the fig spread thins. Set aside to cool.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the fig syrup, whiskey, lemon juice and honey. Shake for at least 30 seconds.
- Fill two highball glasses with ice. Divide the cocktail mixture between the two whiskey glasses. Garnish with slices of fresh fig, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: cocktailAmount Per Serving: Calories: 196Sodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 14gSugar: 12g
Fig Fête
Cocktails
- Honey Fig Whiskey Sour from The Redhead Baker
Appetizers
- Fig, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese Pizza from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Fig Jam and Brie Crostini Appetizer from Creative Culinary
- Fig & Salami Bruschetta from The Food Hunter’s Guide to Cuisine
Bread
- Fig and Fennel Sourdough from Karen’s Ktichen Stories
Side Dishes
- Fig and Cranberry Rice Pilaf from The Heritage Cook
Desserts
- Fig and Ginger Upside Down Cake from Mother Would Know
Liz says
Oh, boy, you might make a whiskey lover out of me after all! This cocktail sounds fabulous!!
Karen says
I actually have some fig jam in the fridge and some whiskey in the cupboard! I know what I'm drinking tonight!
The Food Hunter says
This sounds like a great cocktail
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
This cocktail sounds perfect to me; I might make some for friends occasionally but the super sweet girly thing is from another life; I enjoy tasting the booze and love a boost of citrus. I used my entire jar of fig jam or I would be making this soon; like right now soon!
Jane says
What a fun spin on this cocktail - perfect for holiday parties! Beautiful shots Coleen and thanks for a great Progressive Eats theme!
Laura says
I don't know much about making cocktails, so I'm using this post as my first whiskey sour lesson. What a great idea to use fig spread as the basis for simple syrup! All I need is the whiskey.