Salty plum martini
A martini is the cleanest test of a flavouring, and salty plum passes. Gin and dry vermouth get a spoonful of salty plum syrup, which adds fruit, salt and a gentle sourness without turning the drink sweet. Stirred, not shaken, and garnished with the plum itself.
Prep
5 min
Serves
1
Glass
Martini
Alcohol is for adults only. Please drink responsibly.
Ingredients
- 60 ml London dry gin
- 15 ml dry vermouth
- 15 ml salty plum syrup
- Ice cubes
- 1 whole red salty plum, to garnish
Tip
If your syrup is on the salty side, drop it to 10 ml and add a bar spoon of sugar syrup. Taste the syrup before you build the drink.
Method
- 01
Chill a martini glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice and water while you work.
- 02
Combine the gin, dry vermouth and salty plum syrup in a mixing glass with plenty of ice.
- 03
Stir for 20 to 30 seconds. Stirring keeps it clear and silky; shaking would make it cloudy and over-diluted.
- 04
Strain into the chilled glass and drop in a whole salty plum.
Serving suggestions
- Serve with something salty and crisp: prawn crackers, cured fish or olives.
- As an aperitif it works best very cold, one per person, not a jug.
Variations
Vodka plum
Swap the gin for a clean vodka for a softer, fruitier result.
Umeboshi martini
Use umeboshi brine and a whole ume for a drier, saltier version. See salty plum vs umeboshi.
Rimmed glass
Wet the rim and dip in ground salty plum powder for a full-on savoury edge.
Frequently asked
Can I skip the vermouth?+
You can, but the drink becomes sharper and more spirit-forward. The vermouth adds wine notes that play well with the plum.
Stirred or shaken?+
Stirred. A clear spirit drink like this stays silky, and you control the dilution more precisely.
No syrup on hand?+
Muddle half a seedless salty plum directly in the mixing glass, then strain through a fine sieve. It will be a touch cloudier but still excellent.