This all-year-round cocktail, an Employees Only original, is a fine example of what you can do with a lessinspiring spirit like vodka. We wanted to combine traditional Mediterranean flavors such as figs, lemon, and honey. Mixing with vodka is a challenge similar to that of cooking with tofu; no matter what you do to it, it’s still tofu. All the flavor and texture comes from the other ingredients in the mixture; vodka really contributes only alcohol to the structure of the cocktail. In the case of the Mediterra, any other spirit would interfere with the clean balance of fig to honey.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 drink

　　2 ounces Luksusowa potato vodka

　　1 ounce Honey Syrup (page 155)

　　3/4 ounce Boiron or homemade fig purée (see below)

　　1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　

Fig Puree

1 pound ripe Black Mission figs

　　1 tablespoon superfine sugar

　　1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　2 ounces water

　　(makes about 1 cup)

　　

Step 1

Pour the vodka, syrup, purée, and juice into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

　　

Fig Puree

Step 2

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Liquefy and strain through a coarse sieve. Refrigerate until use. Will keep for 4 days.

　　

tasting notes

Step 3

Dominant Flavors: figs and honey

　　

Step 4

Body: full, rich mouthfeel of fig meat

　　

Step 5

Dryness: medium to off-dry

　　

Step 6

Complexity: medium

　　

Step 7

Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: citrus and vanilla

　　

Step 8

Finish: medium, slightly bittersweet from fig seeds

　　

Step 9

Glass: cocktail

　　Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.