A FIG & HONEY COCKTAIL...

Figs get a bad wrap sometimes. I know so because I've contributed to that reputation. They aren't the prettiest on the outside, but they are really beautiful and sweet on the inside. Don't judge a book by its cover they say... :) I actually had my first date with figs just a few months ago at a restaurant that served this amazing fig and prosciutto pizza. It was DELISH! Since then, I've wanted to learn more about figs and develop more of a relationship with them...

So an event that happened this past Saturday called for a good cocktail. I'll explain more about that on Friday... I to make something simple, sweet, girly, and different. I walked past a big bunch of these figs at the grocery store later that day and thought that a fig cocktail would be perfect to try. The color is girly, they taste sweet, and I found this simple recipe to bring that all together. The cocktail turned out to be all of those things plus some! The combination of the fig puree (which takes 2 seconds to make), the additional sweetness from the honey, and the effervescence from the ginger ale make for the most tasty combination. Then you get that hit from the vodka that tops it all off! It's so good and one of those things that I could see myself serving at a little dinner party for my girls...

Here is what you need and what to do: (makes 2 cocktails)

Fig Puree

1 cup fresh figs, rinsed & halved

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons water

Juice of half lemon

Cocktail

1 1/2 tablespoons fig puree

1 tablespoon honey (more or less depending on the sweetness of the puree)

2 oz ginger ale

1.5 oz vodka (or more to taste)

2 tsp fresh lemon juice

1. To make the puree, add all of the puree ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth. You can make this ahead and store it in the refrigerator, or use immediately. Note that this makes enough puree for about 4 cocktails and keeps in the refrigerator for a few days...

2. To make the cocktail, add the fig puree and honey to a shaker. Stir it together with a spoon until it is well combined. Add the remaining ingredients and top with ice. Shake well and strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a few figs. 

Enjoy!

Images by me