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Cocktail History
The Figgy Pudding is a Christmas cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in her book Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. Taking inspiration from the traditional British dessert of the same name, which dates back to the 14th century, the recipe reimagines its flavors in liquid form. First, it combines the herbal notes of gin with the sweetness of fig jam before balancing it out with simple syrup and the effervescence of ginger ale. The result is a drink that mirrors the rich, fruity essence of figgy pudding but offers a lighter, refreshing twist ideal for holiday celebrations.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Ginger Ale: This is a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger. I used Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
London Dry Gin: This is a type of gin made with juniper berries, botanicals, alcohol, and water that has been infused with flavor through redistillation without artificial ingredients or colors. I used Eau Claire Distillery Parlor Gin.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I used this stovetop recipe.
Fig Jam: This is a spread made with figs, sugar, and citrus juice. I used Bonne Maman Fig Preserves.
Candied Ginger: This is a slice of dried ginger root that has been rolled in sugar.
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 to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the DitzyDiva Christmas Bauble Cocktail Pick Set.
Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for mixed drinks with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers. I used the Anchor Hocking Essex Highball Glass.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Pale brown-yellow color with an ombré effect
• Aroma: Soft and sweet ginger and fig
• Taste: Slightly tangy yet sugary flavor of earthy fig, ginger spice, and botanical juniper
• Finish: More ginger
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “Hello, fig flavor! This is another ingredient to which I’m not all that privy because I didn’t start using them in meals and cocktails until the last couple of years. I typically prefer the texture of syrup over jam, but the fig spread works very well in this recipe. I honestly don’t think the syrup would’ve lent quite enough flavor to this considering how simple the drink is. I don’t know that I’d make the Figgy Pudding again because I like a few other fig cocktails more than this one, but it was definitely tasty and very unique.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season by Jessica Strand.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-17.
Figgy Pudding
The Figgy Pudding is a Christmas cocktail that was created by food writer and author Jessica Strand and was first published in her book Very Merry Cocktails: 50+ Festive Drinks for the Holiday Season. Its inspiration comes from the British dessert of the same name that originated in the 14th century and is popular around the holidays. Similar to the sweet treat, the drink pairs herbal gin with fig jam, simple syrup, and ginger ale to make a savory and refreshing beverage.

Ingredients
Method
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Add gin, simple syrup, fig jam, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a highball glass over fresh cracked ice.
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Top with ginger ale.
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Garnish with candied ginger.