This all-year-round cocktail, an Employees Only original, is a fine example of what you can do with a lessinspiring spirit like vodka. We wanted to combine traditional Mediterranean flavors such as figs, lemon, and honey. Mixing with vodka is a challenge similar to that of cooking with tofu; no matter what you do to it, it’s still tofu. All the flavor and texture comes from the other ingredients in the mixture; vodka really contributes only alcohol to the structure of the cocktail. In the case of the Mediterra, any other spirit would interfere with the clean balance of fig to honey.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Fig Puree
Preparation
Step 1
Pour the vodka, syrup, purée, and juice into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Fig Puree
Step 2
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Liquefy and strain through a coarse sieve. Refrigerate until use. Will keep for 4 days.
tasting notes
Step 3
Dominant Flavors: figs and honey
Step 4
Body: full, rich mouthfeel of fig meat
Step 5
Dryness: medium to off-dry
Step 6
Complexity: medium
Step 7
Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: citrus and vanilla
Step 8
Finish: medium, slightly bittersweet from fig seeds
Step 9
Glass: cocktail
