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One of our favorite local restaurants makes their own homemade vanilla and fig infused bourbon. It’s like sipping on a velvety bourbon cocktail with rich notes of sweet fig and vanilla. Give it an orange peel twist and bitters and you’ve got yourself a fig and vanilla infused Old Fashioned cocktail.
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Why This Recipe Works
Fig and vanilla infused bourbon is darker and slightly more viscous than straight bourbon. Over the two week infusing period, the figs will release natural sugars and render the bourbon a little thicker and sweeter, almost like a dessert bourbon.
Spirit infusions are a little bit of work upfront, but the options are endless in terms of the unique flavors you can mix up in cocktails.
For more vanilla notes, try a chocolate martini or my infamous espresso martini. You might also enjoy a classic Eggnog.
How to Infuse Bourbon with Fig
This recipe is really simple. I used about a cup of dried Mission figs, cut into quarters, and two vanilla beans split down the middle (exposing the seeds and flavor). Take a whiff, it’s Heaven. Let everything steep in a sealed glass container with a fifth of your favorite bourbon for about two weeks for best results. You can add just about any spice or fruit under the moon to add your own flavors.
I tasted every few days to gauge where it was at. Strain using a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter into a new glass container. The bourbon should last several months if stored at room temp in a dark location.
The added fig and vanilla flavor is noticeable but certainly not overpowering. You can experiment by adding additional figs or an extra vanilla bean for bolder flavors.
One final tip, there is no need to use top-shelf bourbon for infusions, in fact I would stress against it. There are several solid brands that are perfect without breaking the bank. Elijah Craig, Makers, Bulleit, and Knob Creek to name a few.
More Cocktails You’ll Love
Enjoy this recipe? If you made this cocktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments!
Fig and Vanilla Infused Bourbon Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Fig and vanilla infused bourbon
- 1 cup dried mission figs, halved
- 2 vanilla beans, split down middle
- 750 ml fifth of bourbon
Fig and vanilla Old Fashioned
- 2 ounces fig and vanilla infused bourbon
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup or 1 sugar cube with a splash of water, muddled
- 2 dashes black walnut bitters, Angostura bitters will do
- 1 orange peel
- sliced dried fig garnish, optional
Instructions
Fig and vanilla infused bourbon
- Combine vanilla beans, figs, and bourbon in a glass jar or container with a tight lid.
- Let sit for 10-14 days for in a cool dark place.
- Strain with a fine mesh strainer or coffee filter into a clean glass container with lid. Enjoy.
Fig and vanilla Old Fashioned
- In a mixing glass, combine simple syrup, bitters, and infused bourbon. Fill mixing glass halfway with ice, then stir vigorously about a dozen times.
- Strain into an old-fashioned glass over a giant ice cube. Squeeze orange peel over glass to extract oils, wipe the rim of the glass with the peel and add to the glass.
- Garnish with a sliced dried fig.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Will this infused bourbon last indefinitely?
Is there any uses for the spent figs and vanilla bean? I imagine there is something that could be really good using these items I just can’t think of any!
I should’ve said I used dried organic figs not fresh figs —
Hmm I honestly don’t know. The bourbon soaked figs could be interesting but they also may be a little too boozy and less sweet. If you think of anything cool let me know. Could maybe be baked into something.
First of all, this is delicous! I’m a big fan of bourbon neat and on the rocks, but I aslo enjoy the occasional Manhattan and Old Fashioned. I made this infusion with a bottle of Four Roses. It only took about 9 days to get to what I thought was the appropriate level of infusion(any further and it may have been to sweet for my taste). The figs reaaly impart a wonderful sweetness and almost syrup like quaity to the bourbon. It’s great after dinner in a snifter or on the rocks as an evening cocktail. I’ve attempted other infusions in the past, but I’ve never been satisfied with the results….but this is awesome! Thank you Shawn!
Awesome Ned!! I love this stuff too. I need to make myself a new batch ASAP because it’s the perfect sipper.