We’re not really cordial drinkers in the Delicious Everyday house. In fact, the last time we had cordial was when I made Lemon Cordial last year. While I usually only drink water or tea I felt like a change. So when I was browsing for plum recipes the other day and saw this beautiful Blood Plum Cordial recipe on Gourmet Traveller I knew I had to make it.
Making this cordial the house filled with the most amazing plummy aromas, reminiscent of jam making, but thankfully so much easier. And it’s quite beautiful too, the syrup has deep blood red colour, similar to red wine, when finished.
Enjoy this beautiful plum cordial with water, with lemonade, or with sparkling mineral water and a squeeze of lime. Add a little if you want a subtle plum flavour and add more if you want more of that delicious plumminess. It’s also a great mixer for cocktails. Try it with a little vodka, or even with some gin. It’s also lovely to add a small quantity to a glass of champagne.
Delicious, easy and a great way to use the beautiful plums that are in season at the moment. What more could you ask for?
Blood Plum Cordial
Ingredients
- 500 g blood plums stones removed and coarsely chopped
- 500 ml of water
- approximately 275g white sugar
- 25 ml lemon juice
- 25 ml orange juice
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 vanilla bean split and seeds scraped
Instructions
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Add the plums to a saucepan, along with the water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for 15 minutes.
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Strain through a fine sieve, pressing to extract juice, discard solids, then strain liquid through muslin or paper towel and pour the liquid into a measuring jug and note how much liquid remains.
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Return to the saucepan to a medium heat and combine the plum liquid with an equal measure of sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
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Add vanilla seeds and the lemon and orange juice, bring to the boil, reduce heat to low-medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
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Remove from heat, add vinegar and stir to combine, then transfer to a sterile glass bottle, seal and refrigerate.
Recipe Notes
Serve as a mixer with lemonade or mineral water, or in cocktails with Vodka and Gin. It's also lovely added a glass of champagne.
Hi I’m thinking of making this drink, but i have a question. What is the ratio of the cordial liquid to the lemonade or mineral water?
This is purely a matter of personal preference. As I don’t like my drinks overly sweet I only use a small amount, whereas, my husband uses twice the amount of cordial to water than I do. So have a play with it and work out the ratio that works for you 🙂
I just made some of this. I used Omega plums which have a lovely aromatic quality. I got far much more juice after pressing than the 275 mL you anticipated (450mL) though since I usually find most recipes too sweet, I kept the 275 g of sugar. I left out the vanilla, because I generally don’t like it. I will see if this leaves an essential lacking in the final product and report back.
With the discarded solids, I recommend adding sugar to taste, and a squeeze of lemon. Serve in bowls with cream and eat with a spoon. Lovely stewed plums.
Thanks for the only non-alcoholic plum cordial recipe I’ve been able to find.
Ok, I just couldn’t wait for it to cool down and I tried some with some filtered water. It is divine. For the second glass I added some lime. Also excellent.
You rock. Thanks : )
Previously on Delicious Everyday: Blood Plum Cordial http://t.co/fiKTqder #recipe
RT @ledelicieux: Previously on Delicious Everyday: Blood Plum Cordial http://t.co/1HDa9xYh #recipe
Great recipe! Any particular reason that you stone the fruit before cooking? I didn’t and removed the stones during the sieving process. Didn’t seem to affect the flavour….
Removing the stones during the sieving process should be fine. 🙂
Plum cordial! Very nice and so affordable with those Harris Farm bucketfuls on special.
I made this last night and it was absolutely delicious! Now I have a big bottle of it in the fridge and that I’m itching to use up. I think I’ll have to go out and buy some champagne 🙂 Plums are just fantastic at the moment! I’ve been eating them and cooking with them constantly!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s really beautiful and so versatile too 🙂
Beautiful cordial, I’d love some of that with a little champagne.
This looks just delightful! I bet it would be amazing in a cocktail.
Mmm looks lovely and refreshing!
That’s a drink perfect for V day — or any day for that matter 🙂
You’re right, it would be a great drink for Valentine’s Day. 😀 Great idea!
Looks beautiful and colourful and summery, unfortunately i drink wine!
What an absolutely gorgeous colour! I’ve not heard of blood plums before, only blood oranges, so would love to give them a try.
Blood Plums are just beautiful and well worth getting your hands on if you can. 🙂
I have a groaning plum tree which would be just about ready for harvest. This recipe would be just perfect – oh, what a shame to miss out on them!
It is a shame you will miss out on them Amanda, but think of all of the wonderful experiences you are having in return. I know which I’d pick 😉
oh my! That color is absolutely stunning!
i’m not really a cordial drinker either but i do looove blood plums, they have been delicious.
What a coincidence! I just acquired 10kg of plums from Food Connect and highlighted *the same* recipe! Yum 🙂
I could totally see this as a spritzer or maybe as a vodka cocktail! Yum! Sounds fantastic! Great pictures, as always!
Thanks Katie 😀 And it is great as a vodka cocktail 😉
Love plums and they are in plentiful supply right now, nice one!
Thanks Lizzy 🙂 And yes, there are lots of beautiful plums at the moment. It’s a shame not to use them. 🙂
Isn’t the colour amazing! I bet the lime would work so well with this. How long do you think it would last? It would be great to keep this to enjoy when the plums are out of season…
Hi Anna,
I’m not sure how long it will last. I was wondering the same thing to be honest, but I suspect it would last a couple of months….if it isn’t drunk before then 😀
I’m definitely making this. I just bought some plums, although my local didn’t have blood plums so I’m hoping it’s just as nice with red plums. Not sure about what you said about it being easier than jam though! From the directions it looks like much more effort than jam!
Perhaps that’s related to my jam phobia. I’ve always seen jam as complicated. It’s on my must try list this year though 😀
Haha, if you want it nice and simplified check my blog for recipes 🙂 Then you’ll be making jam out of everything!
You’ve inspired me. I will try making my own jam soon! 🙂
That ruby red colour is beautiful….but you sold me when you said it could be added to champagne!
Hehe yes, it’s lovely in Champagne 😀
A heavenly drink! What a gorgeous color.
Cheers,
Rosa
I am so going to make this! Keeping my eye out for cheap bags of plums as of now.