Smoky Mezcal-Fig Sour

Smoky Mezcal-Fig Sour created by Ashtin Berry has a mezcal that dominant flavor in this barely sweet drink that lets the liquor shine.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups simple syrup

• 10 dried figs, halved

• 1 (4-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)

• 1 (750-ml) bottle mezcal

• 1 1/4 cups fresh lemon juice (from 8 large lemons)

• 3/4 cup water

• Whole nutmeg

Instructions:

Combine simple syrup, figs, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium. Reduce heat to low, and simmer until figs are softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate mixture, covered, 8 hours or overnight. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Place mezcal in a pitcher. Pour 11/4 cups fig-ginger syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into pitcher, followed by lemon juice and 3/4 cup water. Refrigerate until chilled, 2 hours or up to overnight. Stir before serving. Pour over large ice cubes into rocks glasses. Garnish servings with freshly grated nutmeg.

Make Ahead

Fig-ginger syrup can be made up to 1 week ahead of time.

Attribution:

Recipe: Ashtin Berry

Origin: Food&Wine

Photo: VICTOR PROTASIO