Fig Leaf Lemonade

This is THE drink of the summer. I’ve been making Fig Leaf Lemonade on repeat, and I can’t get enough of it. This special drink is super refreshing and hydrating on a hot summer day.

I highly recommend making a big batch of it and keeping it in jars in the refrigerator so you can pour it over ice whenever the mood strikes. I’ve been sipping fig leaf lemonade in the backyard, on mid-day walks, while reading in the park, and while soaking up the sun at the river.

To make it, all you need is some fresh fig leaves, a bunch of lemons, and a little sugar. This is such a fun flavor twist on classic lemonade. I know you’ll love it!

What does fig leaf lemonade taste like?

If you’ve never tried fig leaves before, you’re probably curious about their flavor. I’ve grown completely obsessed with their unique taste, which I’d describe as herby fresh figs with a hint of coconut and vanilla. The tartness of fresh lemon juice is a perfect balance to this. Think of fig leaf lemonade as lemonade with a more nuanced flavor and a slightly tropical vibe.

If you have a fig tree in your yard (or a friendly neighbor who has one) then you’ve got to try this. Fig trees put out an abundance of leaves from mid spring to late fall, and you can use their leaves to flavor drinks and desserts at any point in this long growing window.

How to make it

To make our lemonade, first we need to make the fig leaf syrup. We’ll use this to sweeten and flavor the lemonade.

For the fig leaf simple syrup:

Pick about five fresh fig leaves. Choose young and tender fresh leaves from the ends of the branches. They should look healthy and disease-free. Wash them gently and set them to drip dry on a clean kitchen towel.

Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Then, turn the heat down and simmer the mixture for a few minutes, until the sugar dissolves completely.

Add the fig leaves to the syrup and cover it with a lid. Let this mixture infuse until completely cool, about an hour. Then, pluck out the fig leaves and give them a squeeze to remove as much syrup as possible. 

For the lemonade:

Add cooled fig leaf syrup, lemon juice, and water to a large bowl or pitcher and whisk vigorously until well combined.

Pour into ice-filled glasses and enjoy! I like to add a slice of lemon and a pinch of high-quality sea salt, but this is optional.

If you love fig leaf flavor as much as I do, be sure to try my recipe for Fig Leaf Crème Brûlée.

Did you make this Fig Leaf Lemonade? Leave a comment and star rating below to let me know what you think!