*This post sponsored by Everclear and is intended for a 21+ audience only. Please drink responsibly.

I feel like fig season comes in and out so dang quick that I always find myself scrambling for ways to prolong it. So let’s preserve those little, juicy suckers in some alcohol, right? RIGHT! And not just any alcohol…let’s do it with Everclear. Why, you ask? Because, as an unfinished, high proof grain alcohol (Please please enjoy this very, very responsibly), it is literally THE PERFECT starting base for infusions, liqueurs, bitters, and tinctures.

So let’s start with making a lovely small batch spiced fig infusion. You’ll need:

• 7 oz. Everclear

• 8 small figs cut in half (I used Black Mission but any type will work)

• 6 cloves

  Throw all this stuff into a mason jar, seal it, and store in a cool, dark place for 48 hours. When the infusion window is up, strain the alcohol to remove the fruit and spices, then add 8 oz. distilled water. Now we’ve got basically a spiced, figgy vodka to work with. Put it all back into an airtight container and store with the rest of your booze.

Now let’s put that homemade magic into a cocktail! And let’s smash some figs cuz it’s fun to do, okay?

Spiced Fig Lavender Smash

Makes one serving.

• 2 oz. of that lovely figgy Everclear infusion that we made

• .5 oz. lavender simple syrup

• .5 oz. fresh lime juice

• 2 oz. sparkling water

• 4 slices of fig

• fresh fig and edible floral garnish

  For the lavender simple syrup, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 tbs. dried or fresh lavender blossoms

  Start by making your simple syrup. Add sugar, water, and lavender blossoms to a pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil until sugar completely dissolves. Remove pot from heat and let thoroughly cool, then strain into an airtight container and store in fridge.

To make your cocktail, prep a highball glass by filling with crushed ice. Add fig slices to the bottom of a shaker and muddle (This is a smash. We gotta smash something. Besides, you want those beautiful little fig seeds bobbing in your cocktail, trust me.). Add ice, fig “vodka”, simple syrup, and lime juice. Shake until chilled, then strain into your glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish. Then throw a few figs to the chickens so that they can get their fig smash on, too.

In retrospect, letting my chickens stomp around on figs and eviscerate them like vultures on roadkill probably wasn’t the most appetizing choice of photo shoots.

Chicken stomping figs? Gross.

Everclear-infused Spiced Fig Lavender Smash? Absolutely delish.

*This post sponsored by Everclear and is intended for a 21+ audience only. Please drink responsibly.