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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 we used our homemade fig syrup in place of the liqueur and added in lemon juice for more balance.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Sparkling Wine: This is a carbonated wine made with white or red grapes. We used Schramsberg Vineyard Mirabelle Brut because it’s smooth and flavorful. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Prosecco in place of the sparkling wine.
London Dry Gin: This is a type of gin made with juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol that has been infused with flavor through redistillation without artificial ingredients or colors. We used Broker’s Premium London Dry Gin because it’s versatile and high proof. For a mocktail version of this drink, try MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin.
Fig Syrup: This is a sweetener made with black mission figs, white sugar, gum Arabic powder, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Lemon Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lemon. We used freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Angostura Aromatic Bitters. For a mocktail version of this drink, try All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut citrus into slices or wheels. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus, fruits, and vegetables. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The After Midnight begins with citrus and fruit aromas and has a taste that features a heavy dose of the fig’s sweetness balanced by tart citrus and accentuated with fruity, effervescent champagne that carries on through the aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Like the original French 75 on which this is based, we both enjoyed the After Midnight a fair amount and appreciated it for the fruity additions it brought to the table.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐
“The original recipe that we found for the After Midnight called for just fig flavor, but after trying that out, it was definitely lacking in balance, so I added a touch of lemon juice. This essential recreation of the French 75 with fig hits the spot, with its delightful wintry fruitiness and tasty champagne effervescence.”—
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 this again and definitely recommend doing so if you’re already a fan of the fruit.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.
Add gin, fig syrup, lemon juice, bitters, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a champagne glass.
Top with sparkling wine.
Ingredients
Directions
Add gin, fig syrup, lemon juice, bitters, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a champagne glass.
Top with sparkling wine.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Gruvi Non-Alcoholic Prosecco in place of the sparkling wine, MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin, and All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Sparkling Wine Cocktails
If you like this sparkling wine-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Mountaintop Meadow: A vodka cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lavender bitters, dry sparkling wine, a pineapple wedge, and mint
Nucleus Mimosa: A sparkling wine cocktail made with orange juice, cranberry juice, and a lime slice
Pomegranate Gin Fizz: A gin cocktail made with grenadine, sparkling wine, pomegranate seeds, and a Demerara sugar cube
Minute To Midnight: A brandy cocktail made with pear liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters, dry sparkling wine, and a lemon twist
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