Plum Gin Food

PLUM-BASIL GIN FIZZES

Steps:

• Make the basil syrup: Bring the sugar and 1/3 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the basil, then remove from the heat and let cool completely, about 1 hour, then strain.
• Muddle 3 plums in a large liquid measuring cup with a wooden spoon. Stir in the basil syrup and gin. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into ice-filled glasses and top with the seltzer. Garnish with basil and the remaining sliced plum.

DAMSON GIN

Steps:

• Rinse and pick over the damsons to remove any leaves and stalks, then pat dry, tip into a freezer bag and freeze overnight. The next day, bash the bag of damsons a couple of times with a rolling pin and then tip the lot into a 2-litre Kilner jar, or divide between 2 smaller jars.
• Pour in the sugar and gin, and put the lid on. Shake well. Each day for a week, give the jar a good shake until all the sugar has dissolved, then put it in a cool, dark place and leave for 2-3 months.
• Line a plastic sieve with a square of muslin (or use a coffee filter in a cone for a really refined gin) and strain the damson gin through it. Decant into clean, dry bottles, seal and label. The gin is now ready to drink, but will improve and mature over time - it will keep for over a year, if you can wait that long.