Brown Sugar Bourbon Cocktail

This rich Brown Sugar Bourbon Cocktail combines the warm flavors of fig and brown sugar with bourbon to make this delicious classic cocktail! Make this for an after-dinner treat, or enjoy one sitting by the firepit with friends!

Do you have a list of things you used to hate but now love? Mine includes salmon, collard greens, liver (okay, I still loathe liver), and, believe it or not, bourbon.

Well, that was until I had a Brown Sugga at a restaurant that serves seasonal cocktails. A friend ordered their bourbon drink, while I usually stick to vodka, tequila, gin, etc. But when I saw that his drink had fig preserves in it, I was intrigued.

So I had a little swig and then told the bartender that I needed my own. It was delicious, with distinct notes of brown sugar. I knew I had to go home and figure out how to make my own.

FYI- this is a sweet bourbon drink. So if you prefer more plain old-fashioned bourbon drinks, you might want to top it off with a splash more bourbon at the end. Let me know what you think!

Brown Sugar Bourbon Cocktail Ingredients

This recipe uses a brown sugar simple syrup that we’ll make ourselves. Don’t worry; it’s super easy! To make the cocktail, you’ll need just five simple ingredients:

• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar (you can use light brown sugar, but the dark has a richer molasses flavor)
• 2/3 cup water
• ½ cup bourbon
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fig preserves
• Garnish ideas: cinnamon stick, cinnamon-sugar rim, and figs!

How to make brown sugar simple syrup

Making your own simple syrup is really easy. It’s great for mixed drink recipes, but you can also use it for other things like hot or iced coffee, boba drinks, baked goods, and pancakes! It has just the right amount of brown sugar sweetness and caramel flavor.

Here’s how to make it:

Combine the brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat and stir until the brown sugar is fully dissolved. Then let it cool to room temperature.

How to store simple syrup

Transfer your cooled simple syrup into a plastic or glass container and cover tightly. You do not need to refrigerate the syrup, but you can. Keep it for 1-2 weeks at room temperature or up to a month if refrigerated.

How to make a Brown Sugar Bourbon Cocktail

This sweet bourbon drink has become one of my favorite cocktails! Here’s how to make it:

1. Add the bourbon, one ounce of brown sugar syrup, lemon juice, and fig preserves to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until ingredients are mixed, then strain the bourbon drink into a cup filled with fresh ice.

FAQs

Can I double the recipe to make more than one drink?

You can absolutely double the recipe so you have enough for yourself and a friend.

What kind of bourbon is best for this cocktail?

You can use your favorite bourbon to make this bsb- brown sugar bourbon- cocktail. I used Maker’s Mark in developing this recipe, but you can use whatever you like. I’d go for something mid-tier and save the expensive stuff for drinking neat.

Can I use fig jam instead of fig preserves?

Yes, you can use fig jam. Technically, jam and preserves are not the same, as jam is made with mashed fruit, and preserves have large chunks of fruit throughout. I think either would be fine in this recipe.

What if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

If you don’t have a shaker, combine the ingredients in a large glass with a handful of ice and stir well. The important thing in this drink is to distribute both the simple syrup and the fig preserves evenly, so you can’t just pour everything into a glass. Once your ingredients are mixed well, transfer them to the cocktail glasses as usual.

Is there a non-alcoholic version of a Brown Sugar Bourbon Cocktail?

Believe it or not, there is non-alcoholic “bourbon” whiskey! Swap out the bourbon for one of these, and you’ll get a very similar flavor profile. Look for Lyre’s American Malt, Spiritless Kentucky 74, or Ritual Zero Proof.

Try one of my other drink recipes!

If you enjoyed this cocktail, check out these delicious drinks:

• This recipe for Pomegranate Lime Martinis makes A festive cocktail full of pomegranate, bubbly, and more!
• Red Wine Sangria makes a rich, fruity drink that’s perfect to eat with some Spanish tapas or a big bowl of Fettucine Bolognese.
• It’s called a Winter Cosmopolitan, but you can drink this delicious vodka cocktail any time of the year! This time, you’ll learn how to make your own Rosemary simple syrup!

This post was originally published January 26, 2017. It has been updated in format and with pictures on November 9, 2023.