As I’ve mentioned before, my fig tree is overflowing this year. I feel lucky, because fresh figs at the supermarket can cost a pretty penny. There’s nothing like plucking a fresh, ripe fig from your own tree, warmed by the sun and bursting with sweetness. Is it just me, or do fruits and vegetables taste totally different when you pick them right before you eat them? It’s like they have more energy inside of them, more vitality.
I’ve been playing with some different recipe ideas for each new harvest of fruit. In this Fig and Honey Cocktail I combine ripe figs, honey, ginger ale and lemon juice for a balanced cocktail that is naturally sweet. I’m not a fan of overly sugary cocktails. This one gets most of its sweetness from the ripe fig puree and a touch of honey. Figs tend to vary quite a bit in terms of sweetness– some ripe figs are very sweet, while others are only mildly so. Start with a little honey to enhance the natural sweetness, and add more to taste if you need it. I love the look of this cocktail; the fig seeds are suspended in the liquid, and the color varies from deep blush to purple-red depending on the type of figs you use.
This cocktail would be great for Rosh Hashanah to welcome in a sweet new year. Figs are one of the Seven Species mentioned in the Torah, and the cocktail is sweetened by honey, which is appropriate for the holiday. I have offered instructions for making a pitcher of the cocktail below; you can make the fig puree ahead, but the cocktail tastes best if stirred and mixed just before serving. This cocktail would also be appropriate for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Labor Day or just because. L’chaim!
Note: Every cocktail recipe featured on my site can be made kosher using kosher-certified liquor and bottled beverages. I’ve only used liquors and ingredients that can be easily obtained with a kosher hechsher. For kosher-certified alcohol choices, check out the links below:
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Fig and Honey Cocktail
Ingredients
Fig Puree
- 2 cups fresh figs, rinsed and halved
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons filtered water
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Cocktail
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fig puree
- 1/2 teaspoon honey (or more to taste)
- 2 ounces ginger ale
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ice
To Make A Pitcher of Cocktails
- 1 1/3 cups fig puree
- 1/4 cup honey (or more to taste)
- 28 ounces ginger ale (3 1/2 cups)
- 21 ounces vodka (2 1/3 cups)
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
NOTES
Instructions
To Make Fig Puree
- Combine ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate for 2-3 days, or use immediately to make cocktails. This recipe makes about 1 cup (8 oz.) puree, which will make about 10 cocktails.
To Make Cocktails
- In a cocktail shaker, combine fig puree and honey. Mix with a spoon until homogenous. Add ginger ale, vodka, lemon juice and ice and shake well. Start with 1/2 tsp honey to enhance the natural sweetness, and add more to taste if you need it. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with two fresh fig quarters on a skewer.
To Make a Pitcher of Cocktails
- To make a pitcher of the cocktail, you will need to make 1 1/2 times the fig puree recipe in the ingredient list above- 3 cups fresh halved figs, 1 1/2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp filtered water, and 1 1/2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice blended till smooth. Once the puree is made, measure out 1 1/3 cups of puree. You will have a little puree left over, which you can save in a sealed container in the refrigerator to make more cocktails.
- Combine 1 1/3 cups fig puree and 1/4 cup honey, mix with a spoon until homogenous. Add 3 1/2 cups ginger ale, 2 1/3 cups vodka, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice and ice. Stir to combine. Add more honey to taste if you need it. Serve immediately with chilled cocktail glasses.
Linda Pollack Martin says
I cut up a bunch of figs and froze them. I´ll make more jam later in the month.
Dana Courtright says
Sounds refreshing Tori, thanks for sharing!
Kimberley Barca says
Thanks Elaine
Paul McCool says
Tori, you get bonus points for not calling it a Martini.
González Sandy says
Mmm!
Susan Ide says
Ahh, very interesting 🙂
Rose Zadik says
YUMM!!
Allison Richards says
Mmmm!
Anna Fine Foer says
Perfect!!! a great idea for our figs!
Sandi H. says
Is there any need to peel the figs before placing in the blender?
Thanks !
Tori Avey says
Hi Sandi– no, no need to peel. Enjoy!
Janice M Schriber says
Yes, please. May I have another? 😉
Jennifer Hochberg says
Ooohhhh looks YUMMY
Mark Rubin says
Looks great, but I suspect I´d be making it for tomorrow, as I´d surely need some liquid sustenance during the prep.
Loraine Edwardine Benjamin says
Kosher Kocktails- I see a recipe book there and I want a small percentage for the idea, lol. A good Yom Tov to you.
Victoria Petrofsky says
looks delicious! I wish I had figs I could just pluck off a tree……
Kimberley Barca says
Just had fantastic black fresh figs from Trader Joes! Yum! Going to make a honey cake soon! We used to have a jewish bakery that made the best honey cakes and Challahs! But are gone and we dont have any kosher bakeries in Pittsburgh Pa!
Sherry Diamond says
And I remember going to Squirrel Hill for baked goods as I was growing up. It was an hour drive from Weirton WV to get there so Squirrel Hill was a real treat. I’m so sorry to hear the kosher bakeries are all gone. L’shana Tova and happy baking.
Ilene Spector says
Try mail order http://www.challywood.net You will find the most fabulous multi-flavored challahs. They ship overnight, stay fresh for 7 days or you can freeze. They are unbelievable! And I have many local good ones in Baltimore, but use this company. You will not be disappointed.
Ziggy Speidel says
Mmm
Julie Smith says
Sounds awesome!
Barbara Ann Vander says
lshanah tovah! tekiah!
Barbara Ann Vander says
ill try it!