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Murielle Banackissa

Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic

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1 hour 25 mins Prep: 10 mins Cook: 15 mins Cooling Time: 1 hour
Serves 1

This Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic features a deliciously sweet homemade vanilla-plum syrup, tonic water, and Empress 1908 Indigo Gin. It is fizzy, refreshing, and wonderfully aromatic.

Ingredients

Vanilla-Plum Syrup

  • 2 plums , pitted and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ vanilla bean , split open in half lengthwise

Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic

  • 1 oz Vanilla-Plum Syrup
  • 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
  • 5 oz tonic water
  • Ice
  • ½ sliced plum , for garnish

Prepare the Vanilla-Plum Syrup

  1. Step 1

    Place all syrup ingredients in a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil.

  2. Step 2

    Once boiling, give the mixture a stir, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered.

  3. Step 3

    Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Strain into a glass jar and let cool completely before using in the Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic or refrigerating.

Assemble the Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic

  1. Step 1

    In a shaker, add the Vanilla-Plum Syrup along with Empress 1908 Gin, and some ice. Cover and shake for 20 seconds.

  2. Step 2

    Pour into your glass with ice and plum slices, top with tonic water, garnish with a few additional slices of plum and sip responsibly!

Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic on a table outside
Empress 1908 Gin
Two glasses of Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic on a table with Empress 1908 Gin

Recipe created in the context of an Instagram partnership with Empress 1908 Gin.

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With the summer coming to a close, there has never been a better time to highlight the last abundance of in-season fruits!

This drink was inspired by my love (and dare I say obsession!) with plums. Wonderfully sweet with a tart skin, the plums used in this cocktail are stewed together with vanilla bean and sugar, resulting in a sweet and fragrant syrup that pairs perfectly with Empress 1908 Gin.

You can sip this cocktail as you watch the last rays of sun set on a late summer evening or paired with your favorite barbecue meal.

Regardless of how you choose to indulge in this refreshment, I urge you to truly savor the moment. Be present. Taste the subtleties of flavor. Notice the bubbles pop on your tongue and let yourself remember all the beautiful moments this summer season has brought!

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Closeup of a tall glass filled with a Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic
Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic
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When it comes to the ingredients used in this recipe, below are the ones I used.

For any modifications, refer to the Common Questions & Swaps section.

Plums: Sweet and slightly tart, plums are the heroes of this cocktail as they are featured in the sweet and fragrant Vanilla-Plum Syrup. Opt for ripe and juicy plums for ultimate flavor.

Granulated sugar: It is the sweetener of the Vanilla-Plum Syrup that gives this cocktail its sweetness.

Vanilla Bean: The vanilla bean adds a fragrant and sweet aroma to this fizzy cocktail and really complements wonderfully the flavor of the plums.

Empress 1908 Gin: With its botanical notes and stunning colour, this Canadian gin really brings life to this refreshing cocktail.

Tonic water: I used it to give this cocktail its traditional gin tonic fizz.

Ice: It is what helps turn the gin cold.

I encourage you, as you prepare this Sweet Plum and Vanilla Gin Tonic, to notice the sweet aroma of stewed plums and vanilla envelop your kitchen. Slowly stir the syrup and gin mixture into the tonic water and observe how the natural shades of purple swirl around your glass, finalizing your gorgeous creation.

If you make this recipe, I’d appreciate it if you left a review above in the recipe box and shared about it on social media. Don’t forget to tag me (@muriellebanackissa).

Happy Sipping ✨

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