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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.

A glass of honey-fig whiskey sour in front of a jar of fig spread and a bottle of whiskey

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!

Honey-fig whiskey sour being poured into a glass

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.

Honey-fig whiskey sour in front of a jar of fig spread and fresh figs

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.

A high-angle photo of a honey-fig whiskey sour, garnished with a quarter of a fresh fig

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A high-angle shot of a honey-fig whiskey sour garnished with a fresh fig quarter

Honey-Fig Whiskey Sour

Yield: 2 cocktails
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

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 tablespoon fig spread
  • 1 tablespoon boiling water
  • 4 oz whiskey
  • 1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon honey, or more to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the fig spread and boiling water until the fig spread thins. Set aside to cool. 
  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the fig syrup, whiskey, lemon juice and honey. Shake for at least 30 seconds.
  3. 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: cocktail
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 196Sodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 14gSugar: 12g

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Laura

Thursday 27th of September 2018

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.

Jane

Wednesday 26th of September 2018

What a fun spin on this cocktail - perfect for holiday parties! Beautiful shots Coleen and thanks for a great Progressive Eats theme!

Barbara | Creative Culinary

Tuesday 25th of September 2018

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!

The Food Hunter

Tuesday 25th of September 2018

This sounds like a great cocktail

Karen

Tuesday 25th of September 2018

I actually have some fig jam in the fridge and some whiskey in the cupboard! I know what I'm drinking tonight!

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