Fig and Lemon Sparkler with Basil Mint Simple Syrup

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!

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