Name: After Midnight
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 4 fl oz Sparkling Wine; 1 fl oz London Dry Gin; 0.5 fl oz Black Mission Fig Syrup (Click for Recipe); 0.25 fl oz Lemon Juice; 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Cocktail History

The After Midnight is a holiday cocktail that was created by author Jassy Davis and was first published in her book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. The original recipe called for mixing sparkling wine with crème de figue and aromatic bitters, but this version uses homemade fig syrup in place of the liqueur and adds in lemon juice for more balance.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white grapes and yeast, which are fermented with the skins to produce alcohol and then infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a pale yellow-green color and crisp, fruity flavor.

London Dry Gin: This is a type of gin made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals without added sweeteners to develop a crisp, dry flavor.

Fig Syrup: This is a sweetener made with Black Mission figs, white sugar, and water, which are heated and infused into a syrup with a deep, earthy flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Aromatic Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with a blend of herbs, spices, roots, and botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop an aromatic, bittersweet flavor.

Brands I Used

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Champagne Glass: This is a tall, narrow stemmed glass with a slender bowl that’s designed to preserve carbonation while concentrating aromas and used for serving sparkling drinks.

Tools I Used

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Brown-ish red color

• Aroma: Citrus and fruit

• Taste: Heavy dose of sweet fig flavor balanced by tart citrus, obvious juniper botanicals, and bubbly wine

• Finish: Effervescent grape

Kendall’s Take: “True to my usual feelings for the French 75 template, I found this cocktail to be absolutely delicious. Although probably not my favorite variation, the fig was a really interesting addition that had a prominent earthy flavor that shined. I would make the After Midnight again and definitely recommend doing so if you’re already a fan of the fruit.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.

After Midnight

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins

Description

The After Midnight is a holiday cocktail that was created by author Jassy Davis and was first published in her book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. The original recipe called for mixing sparkling wine with crème de figue and aromatic bitters, but we used our homemade fig syrup in place of the liqueur and added in lemon juice for more balance.