A seasonal fall cocktail made with fresh figs and thyme, this Vanilla Fig Vodka Fizz is shaken with aquafaba for a light and airy texture. Aquafaba cocktails are a great way to mimic the texture traditionally achieved through egg whites.
How to make an aquafaba cocktail:
Traditionally, the gin fizz and vodka fizz cocktails are made with shaken egg whites to achieve that light and foamy layer at the top of the drink. However, this effect can easily be recreated with the use of aquafaba for a vegan version of the classic cocktail. Aquafaba is the liquid found in a can of chickpeas and it is often used in vegan baking as an egg replacer- it can be whipped up with sugar into a meringue just like egg whites.
To use aquafaba in a vegan vodka fizz, simply add 1 tablespoon of aquafaba per serving of cocktail. Shake it with the other ingredients before adding ice to start emulsifying, then add ice and shake once more before straining into your cocktail glasses. Be sure to use a bit of simple syrup or another sweetener so your drink doesn’t taste like beans!
Vanilla Fig Vodka Fizz Ingredients:
I love using fresh, seasonal ingredients in everything I make, including cocktails!
- FIGS Fresh fig season here in Pennsylvania is from late summer to early fall, so I always grab a pint or 2 when I see them appear at the grocery store!
- THYME I love this drink with fresh thyme, but you can also use rosemary instead if you like, or even basil. Fresh herbs add such a wonderful depth of flavor to cocktails and add to that seasonal flair.
- VANILLA I used a high quality vanilla extract here, but if your budget allows for vanilla beans, go for it! I think a touch of vanilla in a fall cocktail is so cozy! A little goes a long way with vanilla, so be careful when measuring.
- LEMON Rarely do I make a cocktail without some sort of citrus! The bright sourness of lemon juice helps round out the sweetness of the figs and makes the drink a bit more lively.
- AQUAFABA Used to replace egg whites to create the foamy layer on this drink, aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. If you want, you can skip it, but I think it’s a fun touch.
- SPARKLING WATER Topo Chico is my sparkling water of choice for cocktails, but you could use any plain club soda or try it with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda instead.
- VODKA Finally, the vodka! I chose vodka because it’s more neutral in flavor. I think the flavor of gin would compete too much with the vanilla and fig, but you can substitute it if you’d like, or go booze-free altogether!
Vanilla Fig Vodka Fizz made with Aquafaba
A seasonal fall cocktail made with fresh figs and thyme, this Vanilla Fig Vodka Fizz is shaken with aquafaba for a light and airy texture. Aquafaba cocktails are a great way to mimic the texture traditionally achieved through egg whites.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients
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4 very ripe figs, quartered
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1/2 cup cane sugar
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1/2 cup water
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2 sprigs of fresh thyme
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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2 tbsp fig-thyme simple syrup
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2 tbsp aquafaba
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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2 oz vodka
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ice
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soda water
Instructions
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Make the fig-thyme simple syrup: in a small saucepan, combine the quartered figs, cane sugar, water, thyme, and lemon juice over high heat. Stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar and smash up the figs. Once it starts to boil, turn the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat, add the vanilla, and allow the syrup to sit for 10 minutes.
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Strain the figs and thyme from the syrup using a mesh strainer. Allow the syrup to cool before using.
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To make 2 cocktails, add 2 tbsp of the fig-thyme syrup, 2 tbsp of aquafaba, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, and 2 oz of vodka to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously (before adding the ice) for about 1 minute. Add the ice and shake again for another minute.
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Strain the cocktail into 2 glasses and top with soda water. Garnish with fresh fig slices.
Thank you for stopping by! If you make this or any of my recipes, please tag me on Instagram @plantandsoulkitchen so we can connect! xo Jillian
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