This Fig Apple Cider Bourbon smash will be a hit! Made with soft black figs, fresh apple cider and Bourbon is a great fall cocktail!
Fall Cocktails!
I love me a good crafted cocktails and Fall brings all the warmth feelings and tones. Figs and apples are in season and it's a good time to get them at Trader Joe's, Local Farmers Markets and Cotsco. I love the feeling of warm bourbon, sweet fresh apple cider and soft black figs. The perfect combination for a great Fall Cocktail!
Ge the recipe for some of my favorite Apple Cider Apple Cider Margarita Cocktail and Apple Cider Spice Cake.
Ingredients to make this Fig Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
**See the Recipe Card Below for complete measurements**
This is a fairly easy cocktail to make. You don't need to be an experience bartender. The key here is that you want to get fresh quality ingredients. Here is a list of what you need to make this cocktail:
- Black Mission Figs - or any figs really! Figs sometimes are hard to find even though they are in season from mid May through November. These Figs are from California they have a purple/black skin and are sweet, mild and meaty and deep earthy flavor like a Cabernet. There are 6 varieties of Figs therefore you can read all about them here in California Figs Website.
- Fresh Apple Cider - Living in the Apple capital it's easy to get Fresh Apple Cider. Sometimes it is hard to find so you can use regular apple cider. Trader Joe's carries a good Honey crisp apple cider or the spiced apple cider is a great choice too. The sweetness of the apple cider with the figs its is a great combination.
- Bourbon - Not all Bourbons are created equal. My favorite is Four Roses Bourbon. Blend of fruit, floral, spiced and honey aromas. It is crisp in the palate with hints of pear and apple with a mellow and long soft finish.
Do I need fancy bartender equipment to make this cocktail?
No you don't! You probably have some of the equipment at home. However, if you are serious about at home mixology and cocktails, investing is some bartending tools is great. Lastly, you can find a lot of good vintage, rare and inexpensive glasses, mixing tools, jiggers at the thrift store. Here are the basic at home bartending tools I recommend for an at home bar without breaking the bank.
- Mixing glass and cocktails shaker - These can range from a nice glass to a mason jar. As long as it can hold enough liquid and ice you can use any of these.
- Jigger - This is th small measuring cup to pout your ingredients. There's a glass, metal, wood varieties.
- Mesh Strainer - When you have a cocktail that need to be strained where fruit is used you must use a mesh strainer to get a clear cocktail.
- Stainless strainer 4 prong Bar strainer - This is the strainer that goes on top of the shaker to strain your cocktail into a glass. It is most commonly used with Margaritas. This is the 4 prong strainer is an example of what it looks like.
- Bar Spoon - This spoon is large to ensure it can reach the bottom of long glasses and it is used to mix ingredients in the glass. You can also use this spoon for layering in a cocktail.
- Cocktail Glasses - Just like with everything there is a proper glass for every drink. However I sometimes use any glass that makes the drink stand out and pretty. But essential glasses are : short, high ball, whiskey, margarita, wine and champagne glasses.
The Mixology in the Fig Apple Pie Bourbon Smash
This is a comforting cocktail and it comes together pretty quick. Let's get to it:
- In a mixing glass muddle the black figs. Muddle them until they are a paste.
- Add fresh apple cider, then bourbon.
- With the bar spoon stir until everything is combined and figs are completely dissolved.
- You will have fig chunks, pour cocktail mixture using the stainless strainer with the coils and the mesh strainer. This will give you a clear cocktail.
- Garnish with figs and apples. You can add a tsp of bourbon to the apples to prevent them for turning brown.
*Always drink responsibly 21+*
Frequent Asked Questions:
You can use 1 tablespoon of Fig Preserves or Jam! Just like with fresh figs you want to double strain the cocktail.
Whiskey can be used in lieu of Bourbon. This cocktails works well with Uncle Nearest Whiskey, Jameson and Basil Hydens.
I mean you could but the flavor is not the same. Apple juice is from mashed, filtered and strained multiples times to removed the pulp and cooked at 190 degrees. Then in Apple cider apples that have have been mashed but have not been filtrated to remove pulp or sediment. Therefore rendering a cloudy caramel color juice. Lastly, when I use unpasteurized cider I use it within 2 weeks after opening.
Some of My Favorite Cocktails
If you make this recipe I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Fig Apple Cider Bourbon Smash
Equipment
- Cocktail Mixer
- Jigger + Bar Stirring Spoon
- Mesh Strainer + Stainless steel strainer with prong
- Muddler
- 2 glasses )Tall or short works fine
Ingredients
- 3 Black Figs
- 2 oz Fresh Apple Cider
- 1 ½ oz Bourbon
Instructions
- In a mixing glass muddle the 3 black figs.
- Add fresh apple cider, then bourbon.
- With the bar spoon stir until everything is combined and figs are completely dissolved.
- You will have fig chunks, pour cocktail mixture using the stainless strainer with the coils and the mesh strainer. This will give you a clear cocktail.
- Garnish with figs and apples. Enjoy! Salud!
