What do you do when it’s almost September and you’re ready for pumpkin and cinnamon but it’s still 90 degrees and humid? Well, if you’re me, you try to cool down with a cocktail that takes advantage of bountiful stone fruit but incorporates the fall and winter-like warmth of bourbon. This plum bourbon cooler is pretty much the perfect cocktail for the transition from late summer into fall. It’s icy cold to combat the heat, fruity but not too sweet, and the depth of flavor from the bourbon makes this a real winner.
Though you do need to make a plum syrup, this is actually a very easy cocktail to make. The syrup makes enough for 3 cocktails and can easily be scaled down or up. I had initially planned to serve this straight up, but I couldn’t resist a glass full of ice on a hot summer day.
Totally perfect for late August, right? I’m pretty sure I’m going to stir up another one of these this afternoon and sit out on our porch. Join me!
Plum bourbon cooler
Makes: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 small plum
- 2 TBSP sugar*
- 1 oz plum syrup
- 1 oz bourbon
- ½ oz St. Germain
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
To make the plum syrup
Cut the plum into quarters and remove the pit. Add the plum and sugar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the plum is soft and has broken down. You should be left with about 3 oz of a saucy plum mixture. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any solid pieces and let cool. Store in the fridge.
To make the cocktail
Stir all ingredients together and serve over ice.
Notes
*If your plums are not sweet you may want to add an additional ½ TBSP of sugar.
