The Fig Martini

Jean-Marc Nolant, 100 Century Avenue Bar

City Weekend: What’s all this kit?

JMN: It’s a piece of apparatus that’s used by chefs to make an infusion. It’s just a bath of water that you can keep at a set temperature. The water circulates around a jar I’ve put inside with fresh figs, vodka and three sticks of cinnamon. You have to use a wheat vodka, because it retains the flavor whereas potato vodkas don’t. I’m using Grey Goose because it’s a 100 percent wheat vodka and it takes the color from the fig skins very nicely. You let it infuse for two hours and then remove and chill it. We put it back in the original bottle and into the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, shake it over ice then strain into a martini glass. I also like to rim the glass with a mix of sugar and cinnamon.

TW: It’s like an aperitif. There’s no sweetness at all. It’s a very long, complex flavor.

JMN: Exactly–it’s a before-dinner drink.

CY: I think it’s an awesome infusion. It’s perfect.

TW: You could add half a spoon of manuka honey, just to make it slightly sweeter.

SZ: I can really taste the cinnamon. When you bring it up to your face you already get the aroma of cinnamon, whether it’s from the rim of the glass or the infusion. It’s beautifully matched.

JW: Fig and cinnamon are a love story. They go so perfectly together.

TW: Jean-Marc understands the drink he’s making and he hasn’t made it too complex. A cocktail competition is not judged just by the flavor but also by the smell, the look, the consistency and, for me, this drink we had was superb on all counts. I’d say this is the best we’ve had.

SZ: The chocolate one had two flavors, chocolate and strawberry, which was great.

TW: I think the basis of all the drinks was really good. The quality was generally very high and we saw the range of flavors that can go into a martini.

SZ: It’s not just fruit. It’s herbs, sour flavors, foam, spices and even Chinese medicine. It’s the king of cocktails.

CY: Everyone has different tastes, but no matter what you like, there’s a martini that’s right for you.

Ingredients: Half a dozen chopped fresh figs; three sticks of cinnamon; 90ml Grey Goose vodka. Rim glass with brown sugar mixed with cinnamon.

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