Plum Ginger Gin Sour

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For Chinese New Year, I wanted to create a cocktail that symbolized Chinese culture and its beautiful traditions. Plums, a significant part of Chinese culture, bloom vibrantly even in the harshest winters, representing resilience, perseverance, and strength. Inspired by these qualities, I crafted the Plum Ginger Gin Sour, a cocktail that embodies beauty, flavor, and symbolism.

However, living in Illinois, I faced a challenge—finding fresh plums in winter was impossible! After searching multiple grocery stores with no success, I turned to my local ethnic market, where I discovered a delicious substitute: plum jam. By combining this with ginger, sugar, and water, I created an easy and flavorful plum simple syrup, perfect for this cocktail.

The base of this drink is the stunning Empress Gin, known for its botanical flavors and enchanting purple hue, complemented by the unique addition of aquafaba—a vegan alternative to egg whites.

The result? A cocktail that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious!

Let’s dive into the simple steps to create this delightful Plum Ginger Gin Sour!

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The Story Behind the Ingredients

Why Plums?

Plums hold deep cultural significance in China, symbolizing resilience and hope as they bloom in the snow during winter. This inspired me to recreate their essence in this cocktail. While fresh plums were unavailable, plum jam proved to be a wonderful alternative for crafting a rich and aromatic simple syrup.

The Magic of Empress Gin

This Canadian gin, with its vibrant purple hue from butterfly pea blossoms, not only looks stunning but also adds a unique botanical flavor that pairs beautifully with the plum and ginger notes.

If you don’t already own a bottle, it’s worth investing in for this and many other cocktails.

The Aquafaba Secret

Traditional sour cocktails use egg whites to create a signature foam, but I found a plant-based alternative in aquafaba—the liquid from canned chickpeas. It’s vegan-friendly, easy to use, and creates the perfect foam without any concerns about raw eggs.

How to Make Plum Ginger Simple Syrup

Crafting the perfect syrup is simple and takes only a few minutes:

1. Combine plum jam, sugar, water, and sliced ginger in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Muddle the ginger as it cooks, adding water as needed to maintain a syrupy consistency.
4. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and let it cool.

This versatile syrup can be made ahead of time and stored, making it easy to whip up cocktails for gatherings or quiet evenings.

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Mixing the Plum Ginger Gin Sour

Step 1: The Dry Shake

In a cocktail shaker, combine:

• 2 oz Empress Gin
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 oz plum simple syrup
• 1 oz aquafaba

Shake vigorously without ice for 30–40 seconds to create a frothy foam.

Step 2: Add Ice and Reshake

Add ice to the shaker and shake again for 20–30 seconds to chill the mixture.

Step 3: Pour and Garnish

Strain into your favorite cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist for an elegant finish.

Serving Tips

This recipe makes enough plum simple syrup for four cocktails, making it ideal for entertaining. Pair these drinks with some Crab Rangoon, homemade dim sum or Shrimp Egg Rolls for a memorable Chinese New Year celebration.

The vibrant color and delicate foam make these cocktails a stunning addition to any table.

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Enjoy!

The Plum Ginger Gin Sour is a cocktail that beautifully represents Chinese New Year’s spirit, blending symbolism with flavor. From the resilience of the plum tree to the vibrant hue of Empress Gin, every element of this drink tells a story.

It’s a perfect way to toast to new beginnings, perseverance, and joy. Cheers to celebrating in style!