Move over, pumpkin spice. Plum gin is the new flavour of the autumn season. This delicious drink is easy to make at home with just a few ingredients. Making this gin is a great way to use up summer plums and enjoy them for much longer. It’s easy to make, and you can adjust the flavour to suit your taste. Let’s get started.
If you need more convincing about this gin…
This is a type of flavoured gin that is made with plums. It is a popular choice for cocktails. A few good reasons to try this homemade plum liqueur include:
1. Plum-infused gin has a unique flavour and is a delicious way to enjoy the taste of plums all year round. It is perfect for sipping on its own or enjoying in cocktails.
2. It is easy to make at home and you can customise the flavour to your liking.
3. This gin makes a perfect gift for any occasion. The deep ruby hue and distinctive taste is sure to impress. The best part is that it gets better with age, so don’t be afraid to make a big batch!
Making Plum Gin
Making this drink at home is a relatively simple process. Gather the necessary ingredients and supplies. This includes plums, gin, sugar, and a few optional ingredients. Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get started.
The first step is to infuse the alcohol with the plum flavours. To do this, you’ll need to soak the plums, with the sugar, in gin for several weeks. Once the fruit flavour has been infused into the gin, it’s time to strain the liqueur.
The final step is to bottle the gin and let it age for another month, or longer if you can delay tasting it! After that, your tasty gin will be ready to enjoy. Cheers!
TIPS
1. Use fresh, ripe plums for the best flavour.
2. Use mid-range gin as the base spirit. You can also use vodka for this recipe if you prefer that.
3. You can either just prick the plums with the fork to release the juices or prick and cut them in half, or chop them up into pieces. The goal is to cause as much of the fruit juice to be released into the alcohol. You don’t have to remove the stones.
4. Taste the liqueur before finally bottling it to make sure that you are happy with the sweetness, or whether you need to add some more sugar.
5. I like to strain the liquid through the double muslin 2-3 times to try to remove as much sediment as possible, for a clearer end product, so I have a couple of clean sterilised jugs at hand to make this easy to do.
Customise your Plum Gin
1. Add a spoon or two of plum jam or prune juice to increase the flavour and colour of the liqueur.
2. Consider the addition of spices such as cinnamon, ginger or star anise
3. Infuse the gin with a vanilla pod or some vanilla extract.
Ways to enjoy Plum Gin
- Sipping plum gin neat or on the rocks. Plum gin lightly warmed sipped in front of a fire, mmmmm…
- Adding this gin to sparkling wine for a celebration spritzer.
- Mixing plum liqueur with tonic water and lime for a refreshing drink.
- Make plum gin cocktails, e.g. a Tom Collins or Gin Fizz, a martini with plum gin and dry vermouth and others. One of the best is simply to pour it over ice and enjoy it neat. The plum flavours will be released as the ice melts, giving you a refreshing and flavorful drink. A plum gin fizz on the other hand combines plum gin, lemon juice, and soda water for a refreshing and bubbly drink.
- Whether you enjoy it neat or in a cocktail, plum gin is a delicious way to enjoy the taste of plums all year round.
Now that you know how to make your own plum gin, as well as the perfect way to enjoy it, go ahead and unlock the pleasure of this unique spirit. Whether sipping it neat or enjoying it in a cocktail, it is sure to add a touch of elegance and refinement to any occasion. So what are you waiting for? Gather up some plums and get started on your very own batch today.
Plum Gin Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen scales
- Chopping board and knife
- Fork
- 2-litre wide-necked glass jar with lid OR glass bowl that can be covered with plastic film.
- A double layer of damp muslin lining a funnel.
- Funnel
- Clean, sterilised glass bottles with sealable lids
Ingredients
- 700 g plums
- 700 ml gin
- 100 g caster sugar
Instructions
- Discard any bruised or damaged plums. Wash the rest of the plums and allow them to drain.Prick the skins of the plums all over with the fork, then cut them roughly in half – you don't have to remove the stones.
- Add the plums, gin and sugar to the wide-necked jar or the glass bowl. Stir the mixture to encourage the sugar to dissolve. Make sure that the gin is over the top of the plums.
- Add the lid to the jar and store in a cool dark place for at least 4 weeks. Aim to shake the jar (or stir if using a covered bowl)every few days for the first week and then once weekly.
- After 4 or more weeks, taste the mixture to decide if you need any more sugar added or if you need to leave it for longer for a more robust flavour. When you are happy with the flavour of the gin, empty the contents of the jar/bowl into the muslin-lined funnel to drain.
- Prepare your clean, sterilised bottle(s) and funnel the finished gin into them before sealing, and labelling. You can now enjoy the gin and/or return some to storage to mature even further. Enjoy within 12 months.
- Extra: Do not just discard the used plums. As they will have softened being steeped in the alcohol and sugar, it should be easier to remove the stones. Used the fruit leftovers in baking or served alongside cake or ice cream, or mashed up and smeared onto some toast or a scone.
Notes
Tips for Making Plum Gin
1. Use fresh, ripe plums for the best flavour. 2. Use mid-range gin as the base spirit. You can also use vodka for this recipe if you prefer that. 3. You can either just prick the plums with the fork to release the juices or prick and cut them in half, or chop them up into pieces. The goal is to cause as much of the plum juice to be released into the gin. You don’t have to remove the stones. 4. Taste the liqueur before finally bottling it to make sure that you are happy with the sweetness, or whether you need to add some more sugar. 5. I like to strain the liquid through the double muslin 2-3 times to try to remove as much sediment as possible, for a clearer end product, so I have a couple of clean sterilised jugs at hand to make this easy to do.Customise your Plum Gin
1. Add a spoon or two of plum jam or prune juice to increase the flavour and colour of the liqueur. 2. Consider the addition of spices such as cinnamon, ginger or star anise 3. Infuse the gin with a vanilla pod or some vanilla extract.Ways to enjoy Plum Gin
- Sipping plum gin neat or on the rocks. Plum gin lightly warmed sipped in front of a fire, mmmmm…
- Adding this gin to sparkling wine for a celebration spritzer.
- Mixing plum liqueur with tonic water and lime for a refreshing drink.
- Make plum gin cocktails, e.g. a Tom Collins or Gin Fizz, a martini with plum gin and dry vermouth and others. One of the best is simply to pour it over ice and enjoy it neat. The plum flavours will be released as the ice melts, giving you a refreshing and flavorful drink. A plum gin fizz on the other hand combines plum gin, lemon juice, and soda water for a refreshing and bubbly drink.
- Whether you enjoy it neat or in a cocktail, plum gin is a delicious way to enjoy the taste of plums all year round.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.