This Fig Old Fashioned cocktail is like fall in a glass! There’s nothing like cozying up with a classic Old Fashioned, and when you add syrupy figs and a dash of cinnamon, it’s better than dessert.
The best part about this cocktail is that you don’t have to be a mixologist or even have fancy bar tools to make it. Let’s get shakin’ (I mean, stirrin’)!
What’s in this Fig Old Fashioned cocktail
This simple recipe has all the basics of a traditional old fashioned plus the infusion of jammy figs. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Quality bourbon whiskey
- Angostura bitters. Either the original aromatic bitters or the orange bitters will work in this recipe.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
- Fig preserves
- Ground cinnamon
How to Make a Fig Old Fashioned
Some recipes call for making a fig simple syrup, which is delicious, but adds a step. To make this cocktail quicker and easier, we’re going to skip that step and just shake the fig jam and orange juice in a cocktail shaker until they’re blended.
If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, use any kind of jar or mixing glass with a lid.
Then, strain the fig and OJ mixture into a rocks glass.
Next, pour in your bourbon and bitters. Give it a gentle stir before adding the ice.
After the ice goes in, sprinkle the cocktail with cinnamon and garnish it with your choice of garnishes. Orange peel is a traditional garnish. I also love a sprig of fresh thyme for its earthiness and – obviously – fresh figs.
What kind of bourbon should you use for mixed drinks?
Quality bourbons run the gamut in terms of price. And unless you’re drinking bourbon straight, there’s no need to use a super expensive one in mixed cocktails. Here are some great bourbons at decent price points to use in bourbon cocktails:
If you’re new to bourbon, do some taste testing with a few different bottles. It’s a fun activity in the name of research!
What is the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan?
An Old Fashioned is a bourbon whiskey cocktail that’s traditionally made with a sugar cube, orange peel and bitters. Some bartenders will also garnish an Old Fashioned with a cherry.
An Old Fashioned is similar to a Manhattan in that they’re both bourbon-based and have bitters, but a Manhattan uses sweet vermouth and no sugar cube.
Although I love a classic Old Fashioned cocktail, I hate adding straight sugar to my drinks. So we’re swapping out the sugar cubes in this cocktail for the natural sweetness of fig preserves and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Fall is the perfect time of year to enjoy this Fig Old Fashioned cocktail! And when you make it, I’d love to hear about it. Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more bourbon cocktails, try these:
For more cocktail recipes, try these:
- Holiday Moscow Mule with Pomegranate & Sage
- Apple Butter Vodka Cocktail
- Ultimate Thanksgiving Sangria
Fig Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe (Bourbon Drink)
Ingredients
- 2 shots quality whiskey or bourbon
- 2 dashes bitters
- 3 tsp. fig preserves
- 3 tsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 sprig fresh thyme garnish, optional
- 1 fresh fig sliced, garnish, optional
- 1 orange peel garnish, optional
Instructions
- Pour the fig preserves and orange juice into a shaker or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously.
- Strain the fig mixture into an old fashioned glass. Pour in the bourbon and bitters. Stir gently.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir gently again. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Garnish with fresh thyme, fresh figs and/or orange peel.
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