Black Inf Fig Vodka

Black Inf Fig Vodka from Esplanda is, going by its name, a fig-flavored vodka. The product listing doesn't state the grain or potato base, the proof, or the production method, so check the bottle label for those details. Fig-infused spirits usually have a clean vodka base with a soft, jammy fruit character. Expect dried-fruit sweetness, a little honeyed richness, and possibly the faint seedy, nutty edge of fig skin. That is a different profile from a neutral vodka, so it works best where the fruit can show. Served on its own, it is best well chilled. Keep the bottle in the freezer or pour it over a large cube in a rocks glass, since cold tightens the sweetness and keeps the fruit from tasting syrupy. A small pour in a chilled martini glass also works, with a lemon twist to add some brightness against the fig. In a Martini, a flavored vodka like this suits a short, minimal build. Use a splash of dry vermouth or none, stir it with plenty of ice, and garnish with a lemon peel or a slice of fresh fig. A Moscow Mule is another good fit: ginger beer and lime give the fig a spicy, tart counterweight, and a copper mug or highball glass over crushed ice suits it. In a Cosmopolitan, the fig's dark-fruit notes pair naturally with cranberry and lime, and you may want less sweetener than the standard recipe calls for. An Espresso Martini is worth trying, because roasted coffee and fig are a classic flavor match. Shake it hard with fresh espresso and a little coffee liqueur, and go easy on added sugar. A Bloody Mary is the weakest fit, since a sweet fruit vodka can clash with savory tomato, horseradish, and pepper. If you do try it, use a spicier mix to balance the sweetness. For food, think of the pairings fig already has: soft or blue cheeses, prosciutto, roasted nuts, and dark chocolate.