With our Thanksgiving feast, we usually serve a sauvignon blanc with the meal for those who imbibe. But sometimes I come across a mixed drink that goes perfectly with the dishes we are serving. On those occasions we have two alcohol choices along with the non-alcohol offerings. This is one of those years.
This cocktail has wonderful apple flavor from both apple juice and a dry riesling, both of which pair well with bourbon. Earthy and nutty notes are added to the drink when dried figs are blended with honey to make a flavored simple syrup that is then added to the libation. A small amount of floral elderflower liqueur gives this refreshing drink a subtly luscious quality that complements all the elements of the Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a cocktail befitting the feast!
Fig & Apple Cocktail
Fig & Apple Cocktail (adapted from epicurious.com) Total Time Required: 30 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Makes: 2 cocktails
Ingredients:
Fig-Infused Honey Syrup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 dried figs, halved
Cocktail
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1-1/2 ounces dry riesling
- 1 ounce St-Germain Elderflower liqueur
- 2 ounces apple juice
- 1/2 ounce Fig-Infused Honey Syrup
- apple slices for garnish
Directions:
To make the fig-infused honey syrup, warm the honey, dried figs, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring to completely dissolve the honey. Keep the mixture warm for 10 minutes, lowering the heat to avoid the syrup from coming to a simmer. Do not let the syrup boil. Remove it from the heat and let it cool, covered, for 10 minutes.
Make the Fig-Honey syrup.
Pour the fig mixture into the cup of a wand blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Strain it through a fine-mesh strainer into a resealable jar. Makes enough syrup for about 10 drinks. Store the syrup refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer.
To make the cocktail, add the bourbon, riesling, St-Germain, apple juice, and fig-infused honey syrup to a cocktail shaker half filled with ice.
Add the cocktail ingredients to a shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain and divide the cocktail between two ice filled rocks glasses. Garnish the cocktails with apple slices and serve.
Divide the cocktail between two glasses and serve.
We are counting our many blessings and celebrating with family this Thanksgiving! ~Linda
Fig & Apple Cocktail (adapted from epicurious.com) Total Time Required: 30 minutes, Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 10 minutes, Makes: 2 cocktails
Ingredients:
Fig-Infused Honey Syrup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 dried figs, halved
Cocktail
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1-1/2 ounces dry riesling
- 1 ounce St-Germain Elderflower liqueur
- 2 ounces apple juice
- 1/2 ounce Fig-Infused Honey Syrup
- apple slices for garnish
Directions:
To make the fig-infused honey syrup, warm the honey, dried figs, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring to completely dissolve the honey. Keep the mixture warm for 10 minutes, lowering the heat to avoid the syrup from coming to a simmer. Do not let the syrup boil. Remove it from heat and let it cool, covered, for 10 minutes. Pour the fig mixture into the cup of a wand blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Strain it through a fine-mesh strainer into a resealable jar. Makes enough syrup for about 10 drinks. Store the syrup refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
To make the cocktail, add the bourbon, riesling, St-Germain, apple juice, and fig-infused honey syrup to a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain and divide the cocktail between two ice filled rocks glasses. Garnish the cocktails with apple slices and serve.