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.

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.

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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

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: 196 Sodium: 3mg Carbohydrates: 14g Sugar: 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