Good Food, Good Company & A Good Cocktail
This post is sponsored by Absolut Elyx. All opinions and expressions stated here are my own.
I love the holiday season, and it has everything to do with the fact that it brings family and friends together. We unite to celebrate the season, to give thanks for our blessings, to eat good food, and to simply enjoy each other's company. And since I love entertaining I'll usually have multiple casual dinner parties to bring my favorite people together. In my own way, I'm trying to spread that holiday cheer by having family and friends over. Because tiny gestures of goodness go far!
For the holiday season every year, I come up with a special signature drink. This makes entertaining and hosting so much easier. When my guests walk in the front door, we'll greet them with this festive cocktail that we'll be keeping in rotation all fall and winter.
This year, it's this Fig Vanilla Bean Cocktail. This cocktail is made with Absolut Elyx luxury vodka that is made entirely by hand in a vintage copper column. And that's what makes it a special Elyx and a very special drink worthy of the holiday season.
Fig Vanilla Bean CocktailYields 2 cocktail
Cocktail3 ounces Absolut Elyx1 ounce Fig + Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup {recipe below}4 dashes orange bitters4-8 ounces tonicIce
Fill a copper cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, simple syrup and bitters. Stir well. Strain into a glass with an ice cube and top with tonic to taste. Garnish with a your choice of garnish {thyme springs, fresh figs, blueberries}. Enjoy!
Fig + Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup6 fresh figs, halved {or use dry figs}1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup water1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes or until figs break down. Allow to cool, and strain using a fine mesh strainer.
Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Yields about 5-6 ounces of syrup (enough for 10-12 cocktails).*
Tis' the season for good food, good company and a good cocktail!
Happy Holidays!
*Note: The syrup can be used for iced tea or drizzle on top of pancakes. You can also make a pitcher's worth of the Fig Vanilla Bean Cocktail if you want to serve a crowd!