It’s that time of year: time for the season’s first cold to run roughshod over our family. All four of us are pretty well knocked out this week, and there’s really only one cure: a Hot Toddy. This one matches some fall favorites, maple and bourbon, with the earthy sweetness of figs. Good stuff. – Andrew
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Illustration by Shauna Lynn for Oh So Beautiful Paper
Maple-Fig Bourbon Hot Toddy
2 oz Bourbon
1 oz Fig-Infused Maple Syrup
1 oz Lemon Juice
6 oz Hot Water
To infuse the syrup, combine a cup of chopped figs, with the stems removed, and a cup of maple syrup in a sauce pan and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cover. Let the syrup sit for about an hour, then strain out the figs and bottle the syrup. (As a bonus, try roasting the leftover figs with some rosemary or thyme in the oven.)
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Combine the bourbon, maple, and lemon in a mug and add boiling water. Top with freshly grated nutmeg and garnish with a whole cinnamon stick.
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So good: hot, sweet, with an oaky bourbon kick, redolent with fall flavors, and some immune system-boosting citrus. Have two. They’re medicinal.
PS – If you’re looking for more cocktail recipes, I’ve started a weekly cocktail series focused on a single ingredient along with techniques and vintage glassware finds on my Instagram account, @liquorary. Check it out for some other ideas for the fig-maple syrup!
Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper