The Fig Julep Is the Only Drink You Need This Spring
Dried figs and fresh mint are the stars of this cocktail.
We can’t think of a book better fit for the arrival of spring than Tamar Haspel’s To Boldly Grow, which is a love letter to home gardening and a beautiful treatise on the “first-hand food” lifestyle. Since Haspel’s book is such a celebration of homegrown ingredients, our March cocktail is a simple drink that puts produce at the forefront and features ingredients that can be cultivated in your own backyard!
The mint julep is a bona fide classic, so our version keeps things simple, starting with a strong backbone of barrel-proof bourbon. A bourbon with a high ABV is ideal in this particular recipe because it won't be diluted by the crushed ice or overpowered by the sweet homemade syrup it’s paired with. Any barrel-strength or single-barrel bourbon that clocks in above 50-proof (100% ABV) will work just fine, but some of our favorite affordable options are Old Granddad 114, Makers Mark Cask Strength, and Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
While bourbon is the cornerstone of this drink, the real stars of the show are the figs and fresh mint. The combination of a homemade fig syrup (see recipe below) and fresh mint—preferably harvested from your own herb garden—complements the bourbon. This fig julep cocktail has a rich sweetness and a bright, floral freshness that can best be described as “springtime in a glass.”
- Yields:
- 1
- Prep Time:
- 45 mins
- Cook Time:
- 5 mins
- Total Time:
- 50 mins
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 2 oz.
barrel-proof bourbon
- 1/2 oz.
fig syrup
Fresh mint
Fig Syrup
- 2 c.
sliced dried figs
- 3/4 c.
demerara sugar
- 1/2 tsp.
vanilla extract
Directions
Cocktail
- Step 1Add 8-10 mint leaves and the fig syrup (recipe below) to a julep glass. Lightly muddle the mint leaves to express their oil.
- Step 2Add bourbon and fill glass halfway with crushed ice. Stir to chill and combine ingredients.
- Step 3Fill the glass with more crushed ice, creating a dome.
- Step 4Garnish with a large sprig of mint (give it a slap to express its oils), and serve with a straw.
- Step 1Add 8-10 mint leaves and the fig syrup (recipe below) to a julep glass. Lightly muddle the mint leaves to express their oil.
Fig Syrup
- Step 1Combine 2 cups sliced dried figs, 1 cup water, ¾ cup demerara sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Step 2Heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Step 3Remove from heat, and let the mixture cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Step 4Strain contents and store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
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