Plum Shrub – Yields about 2 Cups

Pin Ingredients

1.5 lbs. ripe plums (we used a mix of black and red plums)
3/4 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions 1. Wash, pit, and roughly chop the plums. 2. Mix plums in a bowl with the sugar. 3. Cover bowl with a cloth or lid and let sit for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight, stirring occasionally. After a few hours the mixture should form a dense syrup. 4. Strain the mixture in a colander into a large jar or bowl. Be sure to press the fruit to extract as much juice as possible. Discard fruit solids. 5. Mix the vinegar into the fruit syrup mixture. At this point you can taste it and add more sugar or vinegar to taste. The mixture should be sweet and fruity, with quite a bit of pleasant tartness. 6. Pour into jars or bottles and store in the refrigerator. [av_hr class=’default’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

Plum Basil Fizz – Yields 1 Drink

Pin Ingredients

2.5 oz sake
1 oz vodka
1 oz plum shrub
sparkling water
3-4 fresh basil leaves, plus basil sprig for garnish.

Instructions 1. Place basil leaves into cocktail shaker and add sake and vodka. 2. Muddle together well to release basil flavors. 3. Add a handful of ice and the plum shrub and shake together vigorously. 4. Strain into a tall, ice-filled glass and top up with sparkling water. 5. Give it a quick stir to combine everything and garnish with a fresh basil sprig. [av_hr class=’default’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

Stone Fruit Sangria – Yields 6 Servings

Ingredients

1 (750 mL) bottle sparkling chilled rose wine
1/2 cup chilled peach liqueur
1 cup chilled plum shrub
3 fresh plums, peaches or nectarines, sliced, for garnish.

Instructions 1. Mix wine, liqueur, and shrub in a large container. Pour into individual glasses. 2. Garnish by placing 3-4 slices of fresh fruit onto a wooden skewer and placing in glass. [av_hr class=’default’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ custom_class=” admin_preview_bg=”]

Their Story

Remarks from the photographer: “Abundant fresh fruits and vegetables in summertime make the foodie inside me rejoice, especially when it comes to my favorite summertime treat: stone fruits. There is something about biting into a fresh plum, peach, or nectarine that brings me right back to memories of swimming in a pool on hot days, lounging on a picnic blanket in the park, and generally enjoying the season. “What could be better than enjoying the taste of stone fruits in a delicious cocktail? The beverage wizards over at Source Coffeehouse in helped develop the perfect summer cocktail recipe for a garden wedding reception. “Although coffee is the star of the show at Source Coffeehouse, they also make fantastic organic sodas from their homemade shrubs. A shrub is a syrup infused with fruits or berries and flavored with vinegar. It is deliciously sweet and tart, and best of all, a breeze to make. Shrubs keep well in the refrigerator, so you can make this a week or so in advance of when you need it. You can use the shrub to make a thirst-quenching soda by mixing a few tablespoons to taste with sparkling water, but it also makes a wonderful cocktail mixer. For me, summer weddings just scream for some tasty cocktails! “The cocktail recipes below yield drinks that are both refreshing and beautiful. We imagined welcoming guests into an outdoor garden or farm cocktail hour with a simple bar and these two signature drinks. Vibrant colors accent the garden-inspired floral arrangements.”