Salty plum mocktail
This is the drink that converts people. Red salty plums are muddled with fresh lime, topped with soda water and finished with a lime wedge. It is sour and faintly salty, with just enough sweetness to keep it refreshing rather than punishing.
Prep
5 min
Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
- 3 red salty plums (seedless if you can find them), roughly chopped
- 60 ml fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 2 tsp fine sugar, or 20 ml salty plum syrup
- 300 ml chilled soda water
- Ice cubes
- Extra salty plums and lime wedges, to garnish
Good to know
Seedless plums break down more easily, but whole plums work fine — just remove the stones as you muddle. If your plums are very salty, cut back to two.
Method
- 01
Muddle the chopped salty plums with the lime juice and sugar in a shaker or jug until the fruit breaks down and releases its colour.
- 02
Add a handful of ice and stir or shake briefly to chill and dissolve the sugar.
- 03
Strain into two ice-filled highball glasses, pressing the solids to extract every drop.
- 04
Top with chilled soda water and stir gently.
- 05
Garnish with a lime wedge and a piece of salty plum. Serve immediately while it is fizzy.
Serving suggestions
- Serve it before dinner with salted nuts or prawn crackers — the salt and sour open the palate.
- For a sweeter crowd, add a splash of pineapple juice and reduce the soda.
- Make a jug version for a barbecue by multiplying everything except the soda, then topping just before serving.
Variations
Salty plum soda
Skip the muddling and use syrup for a cleaner, faster version. Recipe.
Spiced plum
Add a thin slice of fresh ginger and a star anise while muddling.
Herbal plum
Muddle mint or Thai basil with the lime for a greener finish.
Frequently asked
Can I make it ahead of time?+
Muddle the plums, lime and sugar a few hours ahead and refrigerate. Add the soda and ice at the last moment so it stays fizzy.
What if I cannot find red salty plums?+
Li hing mui works well and brings a tangier edge. See li hing mui explained, or browse the range online .
Can I turn this into a cocktail?+
Yes. Add 45 ml of gin, vodka or tequila with the ice, and top with soda. See the salty plum cocktail guide.