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!

Sip on this delicious Plum 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.
If you are lucky enough to have a plum tree in your yard, try this gin cocktail and make my Vegan Plum Cake!
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.
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.
I was inspired to create this fall cocktail recipe with plums and ginger, a variation on a gin sour, like my Strawberry Elderflower Gin Fizz cocktail I made over the summer.
Serve this delicious cocktail with these easy-to-make Vegan Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites for a delightful appetizer and cocktail combination!
Jump to:
What is a gin sour?
A traditional gin sour contains gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. The sourness and tartness of the lemon juice complement the sweetness of the simple syrup. It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour, like in this Lavender Elderflower Gin Sour!
I have replaced simple syrup with plum ginger syrup in this delicious variation of a gin sour.
Also, 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 delightful foam; however, the foam is not essential.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you will need for this easy-to-make plum ginger simple syrup:
- 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 gin. It's my favorite! Find Empress Gin near you! This premium gin gets its all-natural unique indigo color from the infusion of butterfly pea blossoms post-distillation.
- Aquafaba - The high protein of this bean water from a can of chickpeas is a fantastic replacement for egg white in the classic recipe. 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.
- Plum slices for garnish, optional
See the recipe card for quantities.
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 plum ginger simple syrup
- 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.
- 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.
- Strain the plum ginger simple syrup into a glass container and store it in the fridge.
For the plum gin sour cocktail
First, you will do a dry shake. Add all the ingredients without the ice to the cocktail shaker and shake. This allows the ingredients to mix well together, allowing for a nice froth from the aquafaba. Then, add the ice and shake again.
- Add the gin, aquafaba, lemon juice, and plum ginger simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake for 30 seconds. Add a cup of ice, then shake again.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with sliced plum if desired.
If skipping the aquafaba, skip the dry shake and shake with ice.
Hint: Enjoy this cocktail right away. Cheers!
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 a bit sourer, adjust the amount of plum ginger simple syrup and lemon juice to your taste.
- Plums - I haven't tried this with other stone fruit, 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!
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker - I love this hybrid cocktail shaker because I have no more freezing hands or leaks! The jigger is in the cap.
- Cocktail glasses such as coupe glasses or martini glasses, or old-fashioned glasses.
- Cocktail picks - I love these elegant signature cocktail picks from Empress1908 Gin!
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife or paring knife
- citrus juicer
- vegetable peeler
Storage
This plum ginger gin sour cocktail is best enjoyed right after it is made.
Store the plum ginger simple syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Expert tips
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. The addition of any acidity, such as citrus juice or tonic water, transforms it into a beautiful pink color.
If you'd like to try Empress 1908 Gin for yourself, look for it near you!
FAQ
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.
You can make the plum ginger simple syrup ahead of time. 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.
More Empress Gin Cocktails
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did! If you make this recipe, please take a moment to ★★★★★ star rate it and leave a comment below. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook, and share your creation with me! Tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.
Recipe
Plum Ginger Gin Sour
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 I used Empress 1908 Gin
- ¾ oz aquafaba optional, from a can of chickpeas
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz plum ginger simple syrup see below
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sliced plum if desired.
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.
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.
Amy
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
Thank you, Amy! I hope you and your sister enjoy this cocktail!
Gina
A nice and impressive dinner party drink.
Emily
Thank you very much, Gina!
Cara
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
Thank you, Cara! I love experimenting with new flavors. I'm going to make more plum ginger syrup soon, it's perfect for fall!
Chenée
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
Thank you, Chenée, I'm glad to hear it! Cheers!
Veena
Perfect evening and perfect drink. I am already drooling with the refreshing color and combinations.
Emily
Thank you for your kind words, Veena! I'm so happy to hear that!
MacKenzie
Great Autumn cocktail. I plan on making this for Sunday brunch.
Emily
Thank you, MacKenzie! That sounds wonderful!