Fig and Chocolate Manhattan

Adapted by StarChefs.com
April 2010
Yield: 1 Cocktail, 1 Quart Fig Syrup, 1 Liter Infused Bourbon

INGREDIENTS:

Cacao Nib-Infused Bourbon
1 liter bottle Bulleit bourbon
½ cup raw organic cacao nibs
Spiced Fig Syrup
14 ounces Adriatic fig preserves
3 ounces Benedictine
3 ounces vintage Port
2 ounces Godiva Dark Chocolate liqueur
1 ounce Canton ginger liqueur
1 pinch salt
1 cup simple syrup
1 tablespoon mulling spices, including cinnamon stick, dried orange, dried ginger, pink peppercorn, clove, star anise, and allspice
Bittersweet Cacao Rim
2 ounces bittersweet Scharffen Berger Dark cacao powder
1 cup superfine sugar
1 pinch salt
To Assemble and Serve
Amarena cherry

METHOD:

For the Cacao Nib-Infused Bourbon:
Pour the cacao nibs into the bourbon and allow to infuse for 3 weeks or up to 1 month. Filter out the cacao nibs and reserve.

For the Spiced Fig Syrup:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil; maintain a boil for 10 minutes to allow spices to infuse into the syrup. Remove from the heat and pour through a sieve to strain. Reserve.

For the Bittersweet Cacao Rim:
Thoroughly combine the cacao, sugar, and salt. Reserve.

To Assemble and Serve:
Combine 3 ounces of the infused bourbon and 2 ounces of the fig syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain up. Rim a chilled glass with the cocoa rim and then pour in the liquid. Garnish with the Amarena cherry.