Fig Leaf Syrup

Fig Leaf Syrup is an enchanting simple syrup infused with fresh fig leaves, bringing flavor notes of coconut & vanilla. A simple way to make use of an often overlooked ingredient.

I spent way too much of my life not knowing that fig leaves are edible. Now, I make a batch of Fig Leaf Syrup every summer. The flavor of fig leaves is unlike anything else I’ve tasted. They’re definitely reminiscent of fresh figs, but with a hint of coconut and vanilla mixed in. It’s absolutely delightful.

Fig leaf simple syrup can be used in cocktails, mocktails, and all kinds of desserts. I’ve used it to drizzle over fig tarts, sweeten baked goods, add depth of flavor to seasonal cocktails, and add sweetness to homemade lemonade. 

Read on to discover more about how to select your fig leaves, tips for making this syrup, and all the wonderful ways to put it to use.

When to pick your fig leaves

The cool thing about fig leaves is that there almost isn’t a wrong time to pick them. Unlike so many of the seasonal ingredients I make desserts with regularly, their harvest window is lengthy.

Some people like to use fig leaves in late spring, when the leaves are fresh and tender. Other people wait until right before the leaves start to fall off the tree in the fall. I’ve tried them at different times of the year and don’t see much of a difference in flavor. So, once your fig tree has a healthy supply of leaves on it, you’re good to go.

Look for leaves that…

• Look clean and healthy, free of any pests or disease
• Haven’t been sprayed or treated with any herbicides or pesticides
• Are near the end of the branches (the newest, most tender leaves)

Note: Fig leaves emit a white latex when plucked from their branches. This is harmless, but it can irritate some people’s skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to wear gloves when you harvest fig leaves, avoid touching the latex, and/or wash your hands immediately after handling fresh leaves.

How to make fig leaf syrup

Making fig leaf syrup is easy! All you need is a handful of nice healthy fig leaves, a bit of sugar, and some water. Most often, I use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water to make a classic simple syrup. Depending on what you plan to use the syrup for, you could choose to use a 2:1 ratio to make a “rich” simple syrup, which will result in a thicker, sweeter, more luxurious syrup.

For a simple syrup made with one cup of sugar and one cup of water, I recommend using 4-5 large fig leaves to flavor it. Use that as a general ratio and make any batch size you please!

To make fig leaf syrup:

1. Wash leaves: Clean the fig leaves by running them under cool water. Then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
2. Mix syrup ingredients: Place the sugar and water in a small sauce pot. Stir it lightly to combine and turn the heat to medium, cooking until the mixture comes to a low boil.
3. Simmer: Turn heat down and simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then, remove from the heat and add the fig leaves to the syrup. Cover with a lid.
4. Infuse: Allow fig leaves to infuse in the syrup until it cools completely, about 1 to 1 ½ hours. 
5. Strain: Lastly, strain the cooled syrup into a clean jar, discarding the leaves. The syrup is now ready to use!

Store the final fig leaf syrup in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to a month.

How to use fig leaf syrup

There are so many fun ways to use this uniquely flavored simple syrup! Here are just a handful of ideas to get you started:

• Use in place of liquid sweeteners (honey, agave) in dessert recipes
• Make Fig Leaf Lemonade
• Drizzle over tarts, yogurt, berries, pancakes, waffles
• Mix into a Fig Leaf Shakerato (frothy iced espresso!)
• Brush onto cake layers
• Stir into mocktails
• Sweeten iced tea
• Mix into cocktails (especially good with vodka, gin, and white rum)
• Whip into heavy cream
• Flavor buttercream frosting (use in this syrup-based buttercream recipe)