Refreshing Fig Sidecar

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A refreshing twist on a classic Fig Sidecar, this cocktail is perfect for fall, has a beautiful color and uses fresh ingredients, including a homemade fig simple syrup.

Sidecar in a glass on a marble table.

I’m a little surprised at how much I truly love this Fig Sidecar cocktail! Only because I’m usually not one to order a drink with cognac, but I wanted to find something that would complement the fall and winter seasons and pair well with figs.

The cognac did just that. I figured this would be a nice twist to the traditional sidecar recipe, which also uses cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.

Sidecar cocktail overhead with  edible flowers and cognac.

And I love that this fig sidecar recipe is refreshing and lightly sweetened with a homemade fig simple syrup. The sweeter notes of cognac are prevalent too, making it not as strong as you think it would be. It’s really delicious!

If you’re serving for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I would add a dash of cinnamon to it.

What is Cognac?

By the way, did you know Cognac is brandy? Not all brandy is Cognac, but Cognac is a type of brandy. It’s a little sweeter and has notes of vanilla, flowers and it’s distilled from wine!

For this recipe, I went straight to the stuff I remember rappers singing about in high school… Hennessy (so charming right? Ha!). Furthermore, it was the first time I ever purchased Hennessy!

Fig sidecar with edible flowers

What is a Sidecar?

A traditional sidecar is made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. It’s a classic cocktail that dates back to World War I! We’ve modernized the cocktail and given it a delicious flavor with figs!

How to Make Fig Syrup for Cocktails

Making fig syrup for cocktails is really simple. I don’t think of it as a recipe, but rather a few rules I always follow every time I make a simple syrup.  It’s an easy formula. 

  • Cane sugar
  • water
  • Fresh figs

Let the sugar and water boil until sugar is dissolved, then add in washed figs cut in half, skin still on them, to the sugar mixture and then boil again.

Boil for a minute or two, then simmer for 10, then remove from heat and let it infuse for several hours! Then strain a few times through a mesh strainer to remove seeds. You can store it in a jar and it will last 5 days in a refrigerator.

If you need more help making simple syrup, see our guide for everything you need to know!

All About Figs

There is a lot of history about figs too. I love learning little facts, like how figs are actually a flower and they were used as a coffee substitute! They’re also high in alkalinity. You can read more about them here, like when they’re in season and the varieties there are.

Pink cocktail with figs and edible flowers.

More Cocktail Recipes

Watermelon Lemonade 

Watermelon Piña Colada

How to Make a Manhattan 

Old Fashioned 

Make a Gin + Tonic 

How to Make a Paloma 

5 Best Gin and Tonic Recipes

Lemonade Mimosas with Blood Orange

Pink Sidecar with edible flowers.

Recipe for a Fig Sidecar

If you like this sidecar recipe please let us know in the comments! Also, check out some more of our classic cocktails here!

a twist on the classic sidecar this fig sidecar will be your new favorite

Fig Sidecar

A refreshing cocktail for fall using a fresh homemade fig simple syrup and ingredients found in a classic sidecar.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 166kcal
Author: Eden

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce cognac , we used Hennessy
  • 1 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce cointreau
  • 3/4 ounce fig syrup, find the how-to in the post
  • 1 ripe fig

Instructions

  • Make the fig simple syrup by boiling 1 cup cane sugar (refined is fine too) with 1 cup water and 1 cup fresh figs, cut in half. Let boil for 5 minutes until fruit is tender. Simmer for another 20 minutes and then let it infuse away from heat. More instructions in the post.
  • In a cocktail shaker, muddle 1 ripe fig.
  • Add in the rest of the ingredients and fill the shaker with two large handfuls of ice.
  • Give the cocktail and hard shake for about 20 seconds.
  • Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with a fig and enjoy!

Notes

Make the simple syrup a few days ahead and store it for 5 days in the refrigerator. Add a dash of cinnamon if serving around the holidays!

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
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