Drink More Bourbon recipe
Rosemary Fig Bourbon Fizz
A bright early-fall bourbon highball with fig preserves, fresh lemon, rosemary syrup, and a lively splash of club soda. It is fruity without being heavy, herbal without tasting perfumed, and simple enough for a weeknight pour.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz rosemary simple syrup
- 1 heaping barspoon fig preserves, about 1 teaspoon
- 2 oz chilled club soda, plus more if needed
- Garnish: rosemary sprig and lemon wheel
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, rosemary simple syrup, and fig preserves to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake firmly for 12–15 seconds, until well chilled and the preserves are fully broken up.
- Fine-strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with chilled club soda and stir gently once or twice to combine without flattening the bubbles.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a lemon wheel.
Best bourbon style
Use a 90–100 proof bourbon with steady caramel, vanilla, citrus peel, and light baking spice. A moderately spicy high-rye bourbon works especially well because it keeps the fig and syrup from tasting too sweet. Avoid very oaky barrel-proof bourbons here, which can overpower the lemon and rosemary.
Tips and substitutions
To make rosemary simple syrup, simmer 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar just until dissolved, remove from heat, add 2 rosemary sprigs, steep 10 minutes, then strain and chill. If your fig preserves are very sweet, reduce the syrup to 1/4 oz; if they are thick, shake a few seconds longer and fine-strain carefully.
About this cocktail
The Rosemary Fig Bourbon Fizz sits right in that sweet spot between refreshing highball and cozy fall cocktail. Fig preserves bring a soft jammy fruit note, but the fresh lemon keeps the drink bright instead of syrupy. Rosemary simple syrup adds an herbal edge that reads clean and piney, not heavy or perfumed, especially once the club soda lifts everything in the glass. Bourbon gives the drink its backbone: caramel, vanilla, spice, and oak help the fig feel deeper while still leaving room for the citrus and bubbles. This is a good choice for early fall gatherings, Thanksgiving warm-ups, or any evening when you want something seasonal that does not drink like a dessert. It is also approachable for bourbon fans and bourbon-curious drinkers alike because the soda lengthens the cocktail and makes the flavors feel lively rather than strong or dense.
Choosing your bourbon
A 90–100 proof bourbon is the best fit here because it has enough structure to stand up to lemon, fig preserves, and soda without making the drink taste hot. Look for a bottle with caramel, vanilla, citrus peel, and light baking spice rather than heavy char or aggressive oak. A moderately high-rye mash bill works especially well: the rye spice keeps the fig and rosemary syrup from pushing the cocktail too sweet, while the bourbon’s corn sweetness still rounds out the edges. Softer wheated bourbons can work if you prefer a rounder drink, but the result may taste more jammy. Very oaky barrel-proof bourbons are better saved for spirit-forward cocktails, since they can crowd out the lemon and rosemary here.
Make it your own
You can adjust this drink without changing its basic personality. If your fig preserves are especially sweet, use a little less rosemary syrup to keep the finish crisp. If you want more herbal lift, clap the rosemary sprig gently before garnishing, but avoid muddling rosemary in the shaker, which can turn resinous. For a brighter version, add a small extra squeeze of lemon; for a softer one, use a touch more club soda. Orange bitters can add depth, while a tiny pinch of salt can make the fig and bourbon feel more integrated. If you do not have fig preserves, fig jam with a smooth texture is the closest substitute; just shake well and fine-strain carefully.
Serving tips
Use a Collins glass with plenty of fresh ice so the drink stays cold and carbonated. Fine-straining is worth the extra step because it catches fig seeds and pulp, giving the fizz a cleaner texture. Add the club soda last and stir only once or twice; too much stirring will flatten the bubbles. For a neat presentation, place the lemon wheel against the inside of the glass and tuck the rosemary sprig near the rim. If making several, shake the bourbon, lemon, syrup, and preserves in batches, then top each glass individually with chilled soda.
