Drinks Cocktails Whiskey & Bourbon Cocktails Oolong Tea and Smoky Scotch Are a Perfect Match in This Cocktail 5.0 (1) Add your rating & review Smoky Scotch, tart kiwi, and fruity fig liqueur combine to yield delicious results in this bartender-approved cocktail. By Wen Wang Wen Wang You can find award-winning bartender Wen Wang dressed in a pink suit behind the bar at Maybe Sammy in Sydney, Australia. In 2023 Wang was named one of the top 25 bartenders in Australia by Drinks World Magazine. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 18, 2024 Tested by Lucy Simon Tested by Lucy Simon Lucy Simon is a New York-based wine, spirits, and food writer has been with Food & Wine since the spring of 2021. Meet the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: CON POULOS Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 1 drink The Smoky Fig is a fruity, smoky, tart drink adapted from the Qiyi Guo cocktail created by Maybe Sammy in Sydney, which leans on techniques accessible to those of us at home. It gets its rich complexity from layering the flavors of oolong tea, kiwi, Scotch, and fig liqueur. The result is a stunning, unexpected cocktail that seamlessly blends sour with umami and sweet. The Qiyi Guo was originally developed by bartender Wen Wang, who sought to capture some of the flavors of his Taiwanese roots and pay tribute to the island’s abundant tropical fruits and diverse ingredients. Tea cocktails are Wang’s signature, and his use of earthy and sweet oolong tea here pays homage to Taiwan’s tea culture. Oolong is really the backbone of this cocktail, and the ingredients paired with the tea — Scotch, kiwi, and fig — each play off notes that can be found in oolong tea. Frequently Asked Questions What does oolong tea taste like? While different styles of oolong teas range in flavor, you can expect fresh floral notes, grassy flavors, and a toasty, caramel-like finish. It blends the fresh flavors of green tea with the earthy depth of black tea. To make oolong tea, leaves are partially oxidized before being dried, giving the final brew both grassy and nutty flavors. How do I drink Scotch? Scotch is typically enjoyed neat (on its own in a glass, without ice) or diluted with a few drops of water. The barley-based spirit also goes great in a range of cocktails, from a simple highball like Scotch and Soda to something more complex like The Smoky Fig. Why the the Smoky Fig cocktail works Fig liqueur is an excellent ingredient to have on your bar cart. Unlike other berry liqueurs, figs have an earthy depth that pairs wonderfully with a range of dark spirits, from Scotch to bourbon to aged rum. For a lighter cocktail, add half an ounce to a gin and tonic for a touch of fruit flavor. You can find fig liqueur at specialty liquor stores or online at mixfruitful.com. —Lucy Simon Ingredients The Smoky Fig Ingredients 2 ounces oolong tea mix (ingredients below) 1/2 ounce fig liqueur (such as Fruitful Mixology) 1 teaspoon baijiu (such as Ming River) Kiwi slice, for garnish Oolong Tea Mix Ingredients 1 bag (approximately 2 grams) oolong tea 1 cup boiling water 1 kiwi, peeled and chopped 4 ounces single malt Scotch whisky (such as Benriach) 2 ounces Lillet Blanc 1 ounce sour mix (such as Sūpāsawā) 1 tablespoon simple syrup Directions Make the oolong tea mix: Steep tea bag in boiling water for 3 minutes. Discard tea bag. Let tea cool completely, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine kiwi and Scotch in a mixing glass, and muddle until kiwi is well mashed, about 30 seconds. Let stand for 15 minutes. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer placed over a jar. Add oolong tea, Lillet Blanc, sour mix, and simple syrup to kiwi-infused Scotch; stir to combine. Make the cocktail: Stir together oolong tea mix, fig liqueur, and baijiu in an ice-filled mixing glass until well chilled. Strain cocktail into a coupe glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with kiwi slice. Rate It Print