Conclusions. As a result of this research, it was proven that good quality fermented alcoholic beverages can be obtained from figs.
Every August I get a little Fig Crazy! If you are obsessed with figs {like me} you know what I’m talkin’ about. I go to my farmer’s market very early every Saturday to buy several pounds of fresh figs. And those only last about two days. I devour them without an ounce of self restraint. In fact, I have to buy double my usual amount if I want to create a recipe.
Vanilla Amaretto Soaked Figs
Ingredients
- 12 Fresh Figs – halved lengthwise
- 1 Rodelle Vanilla Bean – split and opened
- 1 Cup Amaretto
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Sugar
Instructions
- Fill large mouth mason jar with figs. Top with vanilla bean.
- In medium saucepan over medium heat; mix amaretto, water and sugar. Bring to a boil while occasionally whisking.
- Gently boil for 5 minutes while whisking. Mixture will reduce and become slightly syrupy.
- Remove from heat and let cool 5-10 minutes.
- Pour liquid over figs. (The mason jar cannot be cold!)
- Seal jar with lid and refrigerate overnight. (or at least 4 hours)
- Eat within 4-5 days.
Needed for this recipe:
There’s really not much of a recipe to speak of. I take the figs, washed and dried well and make a small cut in the bottom of each one. Next I insert a small chunk of walnut or pecan into the fig, all the way so it’s completely inside. Place all the figs in a glass container, add in the zest only from a lemon and cover with brandy. I like to use a smooth brandy; not overly strong. Store in a dark area for at least one month.
Regardless of how many recipes I use with fresh figs, I always like to prepare a batch of drunken figs! Stuffed with a walnut and soaked in brandy with a touch of lemon these little babies become succulent jewels of joy. It’s best to give them about a month of soaking to be ready for late October or if I’m able to hold off, for Thanksgiving. Served as an appetizer, I pare them with cheese, assorted nuts and bread. For dessert, served with small bites of dark chocolate or on the side with a classic cheesecake.
When ready to serve, gently remove the figs. To create a syrupy brandy sauce I simmer some of the brandy with a bit of sugar or agave and a tablespoon of peach or apricot jam until reduced by half. The jam will help thicken the sauce. Taste for preferred sweetness. The sauce can be poured over the figs when serving. The remaining brandy is strained and kept for baking and cooking.
I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.
Fig Vodka Liqueur
FAQ
What liquor is made from figs?
Can wine be made from figs?
Can you distill figs?
What alcoholic drinks can be made out of figs?
Wines are not the only alcoholic beverage that can be made out of figs. In the Mediterranean you’ll also find boukha, a distilled liquor with an alcohol level of up to 40%, made by the Jewish community in Tunisia. It is rare to find this pure drink outside of Tunisia, where it is drunk straight or in fruity cocktails.
How can one dry out figs?
Fig drying can be carried out naturally, exposing it to the sun, in the oven or in a food dryer. Each technique will have its particularities.
Can figs be made into wine?
Most fruits can be made into wine with fermentation, and fig wine remains a little-spoken of countryside homebrew. The reason is simply that there is so little of it: it takes a lot of figs to make one bottle of deliciously sweet fig wine.
Should you drink fig wine if you don’t like figs?
Figs naturally produce a heightened sugary flavor, especially if you pick ripe figs. Their natural flavor carries over to the wine. If you don’t like sugary drinks or significantly sweet things, you might not like fig wine. That said, you should try the drink before making any rash decisions.