Savor summer’s sweetness with this beautiful plum- and blackberry-based cocktail. The delicate, peppery notes of a homemade simple syrup infused with fresh basil balance the richness of the drink’s naturally sweet flavors, enhanced by roasting. Carlene Thomas, our wedding wellness expert, shares the recipe.
Cocktail Hour
If you’re a regular Swooned reader, you know that one of the best tricks to creating a clean cocktail is making your own mixers. While the majority of processed fruit juices on the market are loaded with added sugar, making juice in the confines of your kitchen means that you can control the flavor and the additives. Roasting summer fruits, such as blackberries and plums, brings out their natural sweetness by caramelizing the fruit sugars. And going by the old adage that “if it grows together, it goes together,” plucking fresh garden herbs to pair with the fruit adds an intriguing layer of peppery flavor to an otherwise garden variety fruit beverage.
Ingredients (Serves 2)
♦ 1/2 cup of blackberries
♦ Basil simple syrup, to taste
Directions
Slice plums in half and place with blackberries on a small baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes until the fruit is caramelized and very soft. Add to a large measuring cup with water and smash fruit with a spoon or muddler in the water. Strain and discard solids. To a cocktail shaker, add ice, simple syrup, and fruit juice. Shake to chill and pour over frozen blackberries. Garnish with basil and additional blackberries.
To make basil simple syrup
Make a simple syrup by adding equal parts water and granulated sugar to a small pot. Bring to a boil and make sure all sugar is dissolved. Add to a small jar or container with a handful of fresh basil and allow to infuse in the fridge for several hours or days. Remove the basil leaves before using.
