I’m still sipping on this non boozy summer drink and I have to tell you, it’s so good! I nabbed a huge package of figs at Trader Joe’s last week and knew I had to do something with them, STAT. Some of them were already getting kind of mushy and gross, so I knew it was going to be time to use them up like, yesterday. On a side note,the manager of the Trader Joe’s I shop at has started to recognize me, sooo am I winning or losing at this? The two places I can walk into and be recognized are the grocery store and my yoga studio, so I feel like I’m on the right life track. Anyway, with part of the batch of figs, I sauteed a batch up for eating over coconut yogurt and granola, some I made into a sweet smoothie and the rest I used for this pretty sparkling drink.
The simple syrup was born out necessity, because I needed to use up the last of my feeble basil plant, who so heartily survived the summer, despite me neglecting it and forgetting it was even out on my patio (whoops..) and of course, my mint needed to be tamed a bit. The original plan was to make a batch of basil mint simple syrup to add to my newest obsession: sparkling water. Water is great for you and all, but sometimes I need a change and want to drink something a little more interesting! Since guzzling down hard cider or a fun cocktail is generally frowned upon at my cubicle, I decided to go full on fancy sparkler drink, muddled fruit and all. The fun upside of having leftovers of this drink is that as the water sits and the color of the figs infuses, it turns a pretty shade of light pink/purple, bonus! To use up leftovers, just pour the rest over ice and add a bit more sparkling water to bring the fizz back.
If you can’t find figs right now or don’t want to use them, no problem! Make the simple syrup and enjoy in a cocktail or with straight up sparkling water. You do you!
Fig and Lemon Sparkler with Basil Mint Simple Syrup
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drink
Ingredients
- For the simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/2 cup fresh mint
- For the sparkler:
- 4–6 figs (tops cut of and sliced into quarters)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2–3 cups sparkling water
- Additional mint leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar over high heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture starts to boil. Reduce heat to medium and add the basil and mint leaves. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain out the basil and mint and store the simple syrup in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- To make the sparkler: In a small bowl, muddle the figs and lemon juice until a thick paste has formed. Divide between 2 glasses and stir in 1 tablespoon of basil mint simple syrup per glass. Top with sparkling water and ice, stir before serving and garnish with extra mint leaves.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Yes to all these ingredients! And holy smokes, your photography game is STRONG here. I’m in love!
The Frosted Vegan says
Gah, thank you! I love your pictures, so it makes me so happy when you say that! 🙂
I Wilkerson says
I just did simple syrups with lemonbalm, rosemary, and thyme (separate) since those are the herbs I had growing. This gives me some more inspiration to play with them!
The Frosted Vegan says
I love the way those sound! I think I’m a simple syrup addict now, they are just so good!
Julia says
My gosh, these are so gorgeous!! I love how refreshing they look and those figs are sooo pretty! I could sip on these every dang day! Sigh…if only fig season could hang around forever…
The Frosted Vegan says
Thank you my dear! Gah, I wish so much that figs were around all the time, what a shame 🙁
Vicky Cassidy says
Ha – I also walked into TJs and bee lined it for the package of figs. The best.
The Frosted Vegan says
Ha, glad I’m not the only one! I thought about bypassing them, but I just couldn’t!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Ummm yeah I need these sparklers in my life. I am obsessed with figs. You’ve created something so beautiful! Great photos too!
martindalek2 says
Beautiful pictures! Sounds like a delish drink!