Brown Sugar Plum Smash

Categories:

Beverages & Cocktails
Barbecues
Fall
Spring
Summer
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Vegan
Vegetarian
Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar

This summer sipper is plum delicious, and it’s a quick and easy drink to make when company calls. The flavour is fruit-forward and luscious, with wonderfully contrasting notes of basil and zesty ginger. It’s sure to put some sweet sparkle into any occasion!

Prep Time
5 minutes
15 minutes cooling time
30 minutes chilling time
Cook Time
5 to 8 minutes
A person in a cream-colored linen outfit holding a tall glass of a layered plum cocktail garnished with fresh basil and mint. The drink features a deep red fruit layer at the bottom and a pale sparkling top. On the table are more glasses, fresh herbs, and halved plums on a silver tray, all set against a lush green backdrop
Ingredients Equipment

Highball OR rock glasses (x 4)

Cutting board

Chef’s knife OR paring knife

Small, heavy-bottomed saucepan

Heatproof spatula

Scale OR dry measuring cups

Liquid measuring cup

Fine-mesh sieve

Airtight container OR mason jar

Muddler OR wooden spoon

Measuring spoons

Stir sticks OR straws (optional)

Servings
4 servings
For the plum simple syrup (~⅔ cup / 167 ml):
  • 2 medium plums, ripe
  • ½ cup (100 g) Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar
  • ¼ cup (63 ml) orange juice, preferably freshly squeezed (see Chef’s Tips)
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) water
  • 1 pc (2 g) orange zest, wide strip
For the drink:
  • 2 medium plums, ripe
  • 24 basil leaves, washed
  • 8 mint leaves, washed
  • 4 to 8 tbsp (60 to 120 ml) plum simple syrup (recipe above)
  • Ginger beer (see Chef’s Tips)
Garnishes (optional):
  • Fresh basil or mint
  • Plum slices
  • Orange zestd
Instructions

Step 1

Place 4 (high ball/rock) glasses into the fridge or freezer to chill.

For the simple syrup:

Step 1

Wash, stem, and pit the plums. Roughly chop the plums into small chunks.

Step 2

In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine chopped plums, the Redpath Turbinado Sugar, orange juice, water, and orange zest. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, simmer, and stir occasionally for 5 to 8 minutes, or until plums begin to soften.

Step 3

Remove from heat, cover, and allow flavours to meld and simple syrup to cool to room temperature; 15 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into an airtight container or mason jar, gently pressing the plums to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the plums and strip the orange zest. Place simple syrup in the fridge to chill completely.

For the drinks:

Step 1

Halve and pit the plums. Cut each plum half into ¼-inch slices.

Step 2

Place a sliced plum half, 6 basil leaves, and 2 mint leaves into the bottom of a chilled glass. With a muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon), muddle the plums, basil, and mint vigorously until juices are released from the plums and the herbs are fragrant.

Step 3

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of the chilled simple syrup into each glass, and stir to combine.

Step 4

Fill the glass with ice. Top each glass with ginger beer.

Step 5

Garnish with fresh basil leaves or mint, a slice of plum, or orange zest, if desired. Stir before serving.

Two tall glasses filled with a plum and herb-infused sparkling drink, garnished with fresh mint and basil. The beverages are layered with vibrant red plum slices at the bottom and pale, fizzy liquid above. Surrounding the glasses are fresh mint sprigs, halved plums, a white planter with mint, and a small glass pitcher of deep red syrup, all set on a light, textured surface with soft natural lighting.
Chef's Tips

*Store-bought unsweetened orange juice can be substituted for the fresh orange juice.

*Ginger ale, club soda, or sparkling water can be substituted for the ginger beer for a drink with less spice.

*Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, or Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar can be substituted for the Redpath Simply Raw™ Turbinado Sugar. Note that the resulting simple syrup may be darker in colour and may have a noticeable caramel flavour undertone when using these brown sugar substitutes.

*For a cocktail version, add 2oz (~60 ml) of brandy, bourbon, or aged rum when adding the simple syrup. For a more traditional version, use whisky or rye.

*Any leftover simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

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