The Fig Deal: Getting Figgy with Your Old Fashioned

When life gives you figs, mix them with bourbon and call it a win for the Fig Deal Cocktail

Ready to strike a “Fig Deal” and get figgy with it? This cocktail takes your beloved Old Fashioned and gives it a fruity upgrade, proving figs aren’t just for fancy salads or those mystery jams in the back of your fridge. With a sweet, jammy twist, the Fig Deal mixes bourbon with figgy goodness, creating a drink that’s smooth, sophisticated, and just a little cheeky. So grab your muddler, and let’s seal this deal—your taste buds will thank you!

Here’s a recipe for the Fig Deal Cocktail Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon (fig-infused bourbon if available)
• 1 bar spoon fig jam or ½ oz fig syrup
• 1 sugar cube (optional)
• 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Orange peel, for garnish
• Fresh fig, for garnish (optional)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle: In an old-fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube (if using) with a few dashes of bitters and the fig jam or syrup until well combined.
2. Add Bourbon: Pour in the bourbon and stir gently to mix with the fig mixture.
3. Ice: Add a large ice cube or a few smaller cubes to the glass.
4. Garnish: Express the orange peel over the drink by twisting it to release its oils, then drop it into the glass. If desired, garnish with a fresh fig on the side.
5. Serve: Stir gently and enjoy!

Fig Deal Mocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 oz fig syrup (or fig jam diluted with water)
• 2 oz non-alcoholic bourbon or whiskey alternative (or just water if you prefer)
• 2-3 dashes of non-alcoholic bitters (or regular bitters if acceptable)
• Orange peel, for garnish
• Fresh fig, for garnish (optional)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle: In an old-fashioned glass, muddle the fig syrup (or diluted fig jam) with the non-alcoholic bitters until well combined.
2. Add Non-Alcoholic Bourbon: Pour in the non-alcoholic bourbon or whiskey alternative. Stir gently to mix with the fig mixture. If you’re not using a non-alcoholic alternative, you can use water or soda water for a lighter flavor.
3. Ice: Add a large ice cube or a few smaller cubes to the glass.
4. Garnish: Express the orange peel over the drink by twisting it to release its oils, then drop it into the glass. If desired, garnish with a fresh fig on the side.
5. Serve: Stir gently and enjoy!

This mocktail version maintains the rich, sweet flavor of the original Fig Deal while being completely alcohol-free.

Did you know?

Here’s a fun fact: figs aren’t technically a fruit! They’re inverted flowers, and you’re eating a collection of tiny blossoms turned inside out. So, when you’re sipping on a Fig Deal, you’re not just enjoying a cocktail but a floral experience disguised as a jammy, bourbon-laced masterpiece. It’s like drinking a bouquet but way cooler (and boozier). So next time someone asks what you’re drinking, you can impress them by saying you’re sipping on an Old Fashioned with a twist of inverted flowers!

A little history:

The Old Fashioned dates back to the early 1800s and is often considered one of the first true cocktails made simply with whiskey, sugar, water, and bitters. It was originally a no-frills drink, beloved for its simplicity and balance. Figs, on the other hand, have been cultivated for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece, where they symbolized abundance and prosperity.

The pairing of figs with bourbon in the Fig Deal brings together centuries of history—blending the classic roots of one of America’s most iconic cocktails with the rich, sweet flavor of a fruit (or inverted flower) that has stood the test of time. The result? A drink that’s both timeless and inventive, marrying tradition with a modern twist!