The Fig 'n Cinn Cocktail! If you like simple bourbon cocktails, you might enjoy this spiced concoction, dressed in its fall best with the addition of figs, cinnamon and honey simple syrup. A delicious elixir for any autumn gathering!
Tomorrow is my birthday -- my 37th to be exact. Every year I am pretty amused thinking back to all the years before when I'd blow out my candle and assume that I'd magically feel older and wiser. I was half right, anyway... the wrinkles, grays and occasional random aches are definitely signs of aging that I could do without! But despite all those things, I am incredibly grateful for getting to wake up another day and live this life.
I may not always feel like, up until this point, the years have granted me any wisdom {having a 3 year old will ground any foolish thoughts that you have it all together, reeeeeal quick}. But standing where I am now, I can most definitely see that I've grown both personally and professionally, even in the 7 years since I started this blog.
I'll spare you the walk down memory lane, but I will tell you that every job, every interaction, every stride and every misstep have culminated in this moment. And in this moment, I feel the most "balanced" that I've felt in a very long time. So, if this is any indication of what 37 and every year thereafter will feel like, then I will gladly take it.
Sure, there are parts of aging that aren't ideal, but one of the best parts, I've found, is getting to know your true self, and being comfortable with who that is.
Here are a few of the things I know without question:
- I'm a perfectionist. If I feel like I can't do something to the best of my ability, then I'd rather not do it at all. {I'm looking at you, recipe videos.}
- I am unceasingly indecisive. I hate this about myself. I'm working on it but I feel like it's embedded into the fabric of my being.
- I love to entertain, but it can also stress me out to the point of a near breakdown. {See: "I'm a perfectionist."}
- It has taken me a long time to fully embrace my roll as a mother, but I am finally at a place where I enjoy and treasure my son's age, and that has begun to heal my heart from the pain of struggling so much in the beginning.
- I could never go vegan because cheese is one of my favorite foods on the planet.
- I'm a Floridian, but I have the soul of a Southern Belle {give me all the traditions and monograms} and the heart of a Midwesterner {I think they're secretly my people}.
- As much as I love shopping, I'm definitely more of a saver and deal-finder than a spender. I know how to stretch a buck.
- A clean, organized space brings me limitless joy.
- Bourbon and wine are my drinks of choice.
And that brings me to the reason you're here {nope, haven't turned this into an autobiographical site... it's my flippin' birthday, let me have this moment, k?}:
The Fig 'n Cinn.
Do you remember a while back when I posted a recipe for Watermelon Mojitos? Well the same gentleman {and his lovely wife!} who helped with that recipe teamed up with me again to help create an autumn cocktail, and his suggestion to make a figgy twist on a Mint Julep morphed into this bad boy.
Fresh figs are muddled with bourbon {that's the "Fig" part of the name, of course}, then combined with cinnamon-infused honey syrup {that's the "Cinn"} and apple juice or cider, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for an extra bite. Topped with a bit of fizzy sparkling water, the result is a cocktail that has "fall" written all over it. It would be a "Fig 'n Cinn" not to make it at least once this season! {Did I mention I'm also a goofball?}
I'd say it's a pretty good way to welcome a new season. <3
Honey, Cinnamon, and Fig Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 fresh fig chopped
- ½ ounce apple juice or apple cider
- ¼ ounce apple cider vinegar
- ½ ounce Honey-Cinnamon Syrup {recipe below}
- Splash of sparkling water
For Honey-Cinnamon Syrup:
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Optional: Sliced fig for garnishing
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a lid, combine the bourbon and chopped fresh figs. Muddle lightly with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. Set aside for about 10 minutes to marinate.
- Meanwhile, make Honey Syrup: Stir together water, honey and cinnamon in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- When you're ready to make your cocktail, add the apple juice, vinegar and honey syrup. Put the lid on the shaker or mason jar and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
- Strain into 2 ice-filled cocktail glasses and top with a splash of sparkling water. {Or strain out ice cubes and leave the fig pieces in it if desired.}
- Garnish with a slice of fig.
Notes
