If you're looking for a great recipe for a delicious autumn cocktail, look no further than this refreshing Plum Ginger Gin Sour cocktail! It's easy to make and is perfect for sipping on a cool fall evening. Give it a try with my recipe for homemade plum ginger simple syrup which is perfect for this time of year! The best part is that you can make this syrup in 30 minutes.

Sip on this delicious Plum Ginger Gin Sour as the days get cooler and the leaves change color. This great drink is easy to put together with just a few simple ingredients and is perfect for parties or gatherings with friends. Serve this fruity and elegant cocktail with these easy-to-make Vegan Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites at your next party!
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The plum provides a sweetness balanced by the tartness of the lemon, and the ginger adds a subtle warmth that is perfect for cooler evenings. If you are lucky enough to have a plum tree in your yard, try this gin cocktail and make my Vegan Plum Cake!
The gin offers an herbal counterpoint to the fruit flavors, and the aquafaba foam gives the drink a light effervescence. The plum ginger gin sour is a refreshing and sophisticated cocktail that is perfect for autumn.
Another cocktail you might enjoy is this elegant Pomegranate Gimlet cocktail with tart pomegranate juice and lime at your next happy hour or holiday party.

What Is a Gin Sour?
A traditional gin sour contains gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. The lemon juice's sourness and tartness complement the simple syrup's sweetness. It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour, like this Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour!
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this easy-to-make plum ginger simple syrup:
I have replaced simple syrup with plum ginger syrup in this delicious variation of a gin sour.
- Sugar - I used organic cane sugar which is vegan
- Water
- Plums - ripe, fresh plums, pitted and sliced
- Ginger - fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
These are the ingredients you need to make the plum ginger gin sour cocktail:
- Gin - I used Empress 1908 Gin, a delicious new-world-style gin. This premium gin gets its all-natural, unique indigo color from the infusion of butterfly pea blossoms post-distillation. You can use whichever gin you prefer, although it will change the color of the cocktail slightly.
- Aquafaba - The high protein of this bean water from a can of chickpeas is a fantastic replacement for egg white in the classic recipe. To make this recipe vegan, I replaced egg whites with aquafaba, the bean water from a can. It's shaken up with the rest of the ingredients to make a foam; however, it is not essential. Save the chickpeas for this Chickpea Tuna Salad or Chickpea Quinoa Salad.
- Lemon juice - fresh is best! The tartness of the lemon complements the plum ginger syrup nicely!
- Plum ginger simple syrup (instructions are below) - a seasonal variation of simple syrup.
A complete ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions
- Aquafaba - if you don't have a can of chickpeas to get the bean water from, try a can of butter beans. I usually select a brand that has unsalted canned chickpeas. The aquafaba makes a lovely foam when shaken and adds an interesting visual element to the cocktail; however, it is optional!
- Gin - if you don't care for gin, use vodka instead.
- Lemon juice - use lime juice instead, although lemon juice is classic.
- Plum ginger syrup - try simple syrup instead or agave syrup.
- Garnish - add a lemon twist to the rim of the glass instead of garnishing with sliced plums.
Variations
If you want this gin sour cocktail to be a bit sweeter or sourer, adjust the amount of plum ginger simple syrup and lemon juice to your taste.
- Plums - I haven't tried this with other stone fruits, such as peaches or nectarines.
- Ginger - omit the ginger and make plum simple syrup.
- Mocktail - skip the gin; replace it with sparkling water, soda water, ginger beer, or club soda.
- Angostura bitters - add a few drops on top of the foam.
See my summer variation of a classic gin fizz in this Strawberry Elderflower Gin Fizz!
How To Make A Plum Ginger Gin Sour
It's easy to make this variation of a gin sour cocktail. First, make the plum ginger simple syrup, let it cool, and then make the cocktail. This recipe makes enough plum ginger simple syrup for approximately three cocktails.
For The Plum Ginger Simple Syrup
- Step 1: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil and stir until sugar is dissolved, a few minutes until it is clear.
- Step 2: Add the sliced plums and ginger. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for up to 25 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool completely.
- Step 3: Strain the plum ginger simple syrup into a glass container and store it in the fridge.
For The Plum Ginger Gin Sour Cocktail
- Step 4: Do a dry shake. Add all the ingredients without the ice to the cocktail shaker and shake. This allows the ingredients to mix well, allowing for a nice froth from the aquafaba. Then, add the ice and shake again. If skipping the aquafaba, skip the dry shake and shake with ice.
- Step 5: Add the gin, aquafaba, lemon juice, and plum ginger simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Step 6: Shake for 30 seconds. Add a cup of ice, then shake again.
- Step 7: Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sliced plum if desired.

Enjoy this cocktail right away. Cheers!
Expert Tip
It makes a difference to use fresh, quality ingredients! Use a quality gin; I love the botanical flavors and beautiful natural indigo color of Empress 1908 Gin. Adding acidity, such as citrus juice or tonic water, transforms it into a beautiful pink color.

Recipe FAQs
I highly recommend using fresh plums. If you use frozen plums to make the simple syrup, it will likely have more water, so you may need to cook it down for a few more minutes.
This plum ginger gin sour cocktail is best enjoyed after it is made. You can make the plum ginger simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Make the cocktail immediately prior to enjoying it.
It's moderately strong. It's not as strong as a martini, but it's stronger than a glass of wine.
This plum ginger gin sour cocktail is best enjoyed after it is made. Store the plum ginger simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Related Gin Cocktail Recipes
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe

Delicious Plum Ginger Gin Sour Cocktail Recipe
EQUIPMENT
- Cocktail glass chilled
- Paring knife or chef's knife
- citrus squeezer
- Vegetable peeler
- Empress 1908 Gin cocktail picks optional
INGREDIENTS
For plum ginger simple syrup
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 2 ripe plums pitted and sliced
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and sliced
For plum gin sour
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz aquafaba optional, from a can of chickpeas
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz plum ginger simple syrup
- Sliced plum for garnish, optional, or lemon twist
INSTRUCTIONS
For the plum ginger simple syrup
- Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. The mixture will be clear.½ cup sugar, ½ cup water
- Add sliced plums and ginger. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Strain syrup into a glass container. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2 ripe plums, 1 inch piece of fresh ginger
For the plum gin sour cocktail
- Add gin, aquafaba, lemon juice, and plum ginger simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds, then shake again with ice.2 oz gin, ¾ oz aquafaba, ¾ oz fresh lemon juice, ¾ oz plum ginger simple syrup
- Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sliced plum if desired.Sliced plum
NOTES
- This recipe makes enough plum ginger simple syrup for approximately three cocktails.
- Store the plum ginger simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- It makes a difference to use fresh, quality ingredients.
NUTRITION
Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.
















Elizabeth says
This floored me! I didn’t intend to leave a comment but I HAVE to try this cocktail. Thank you for the inspiration!
Emily Miller says
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for leaving such a wonderful review. I really hope you enjoy this cocktail. This one is a favorite come fall and I'll be making it again soon - I'd love to hear what you think of it once you try it!
MacKenzie says
Great Autumn cocktail. I plan on making this for Sunday brunch.
Emily says
Thank you, MacKenzie! That sounds wonderful!
Veena says
Perfect evening and perfect drink. I am already drooling with the refreshing color and combinations.
Emily says
Thank you for your kind words, Veena! I'm so happy to hear that!
Chenée says
I was looking for a gold autumn cocktail for our dinner party next week, and I think I found it! This is so delicious!
Emily says
Thank you, Chenée, I'm glad to hear it! Cheers!
Cara says
I absolutely love sours of all kinds - so I was super happy to find a flavor I hadn't tried before. I'm going to have plum ginger syrup in my fridge all fall long!
Emily says
Thank you, Cara! I love experimenting with new flavors. I'm going to make more plum ginger syrup soon, it's perfect for fall!
Gina says
A nice and impressive dinner party drink.
Emily says
Thank you very much, Gina!
Amy says
Such a pretty drink, and it looks delicious too.
I am going to make this for my sister, and I am sure she will love this.
Emily says
Thank you, Amy! I hope you and your sister enjoy this cocktail!