This week, I’m dedicating cocktail Friday to my new job. There are hardly words to describe how happy and relieved I feel to be at this point. Getting to this point was absolutely nothing like I imagined and I also dealt with more than my share of other life events along the way. After years and years of training, months of nerve-wracking job searching and then months after accepting an offer feeling excited and nervous and uncertain, I’m settled in and can say I really like it there. In recent years, that had not always been the case, so it makes all of these feelings that much sweeter. Everyone is so kind, I love the work, it’s just plain awesome. I’ll drink to that!

Did you save a few plums from baking plum ginger crumb bars earlier this week? Even less than perfect plums will work fine here. This was a fun cocktail to experiment with. Since plum can be a fairly subtle flavor and bourbon is strong, I decided to double up the plum with a plum syrup and plum slices muddled into the mix. The warmth of the bourbon is just right for the transition into the colder months, and its kick is balanced nicely with the sweeter elements here. Whatever you are celebrating this week, let’s toast it together with this fine drink.

  • Yield 2 servings

Ingredients

For the plum syrup:

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • ½ plum, sliced

For the drink:

  • 1 medium plum, sliced
  • 6 mint leaves
  • 2 oz. (¼ cup) orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
  • 1-2 tbsp. plum syrup
  • 2 oz. (¼ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 oz. (½ cup) bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark
  • Ice cubes
  • Additional plum slices and fresh mint, for garnish

Directions

  • 01

    To make the plum syrup, combine the sugar, water and plum slices in a small saucepan over medium heat. Warm until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and let steep about 10 minutes. Strain out the plum slices and let cool.

  • 02

    To make the cocktail, combine the plum slices, mint leaves, orange liqueur, plum syrup and lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup or cocktail shaker. Muddle together until well combined. Add in the bourbon and some ice cubes, mix well, and strain into serving glasses (with additional ice, if desired). Garnish with additional plum and fresh mint. Serve.

Source

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