RECIPE: THE LOVERS

Bright and bitter, tart and bubbly. Combine them to make something new and special!

prep time: 40 minutes serves: 7 or 14 difficulty: medium

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups (480 ml) tonic water
• 2 tsp (6 g) liquorice root tea leaves
• ⅛ tsp (0.3 g) red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup (6 g) hibiscus flower tea, dried whole
• 1 grapefruit, finely zested and juiced
• 3 Tbsp (18 g) grapefruit zest
• ½ cup (125 ml) grapefruit juice
• 4 black plums, pitted and diced
• 2 cups (480 g) diced plum
• ½ cup (120 ml) red wine vinegar
• ½ cup plus 1 tbsp (135 g) sugar, or equivalent substitute
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• 2 cups (480 ml) sparkling water
• 1 orange, cut into round ¼ inch slices

DIRECTIONS

Plum Shrub (yields 1¾ cups or 420 ml)

1. In a blender, combine the red wine vinegar, diced plum, ½ cup sugar, and water.
2. Blend at high speed until smooth.
3. Pass through a fine mesh sieve, pressing firmly to extract more liquid. Discard solids.
4. Seal and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks

Bitter Apératif (yields 1¾ cups or 420 ml)

1. In a medium pot over high heat, add the tonic water, liquorice root tea, red pepper flakes, hibiscus flowers, and grapefruit zest.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and pass through a fine sieve to remove solids.
4. Let cool to room temperature, stir in 1 tbsp sugar and grapefruit juice.
5. Seal and refrigerate for up to 4 weeks.

Per Sweet Serving

• 2 oz Plum Shrub, chilled
• 4 oz sparkling water

1. Into a champagne flute, pour 2 oz Plum Shrub and 4 oz sparkling water.
2. Stir gently to combine. Serve without a garnish.

Per Bitter Serving

• 2 oz Bitter Apératif, chilled
• 1 round orange slice

1. Pour 2 oz Bitter Apératif into a short, 12 oz glass with ice.
2. Stir lightly, then garnish with an orange slice placed inside.

Per Combined Serving

• 2 oz Plum Shrub, chilled
• 4 oz sparkling water
• 2 oz Bitter Apératif, chilled
• 1 round orange slice

1. Prepare both servings separately, tasting both for contrast.
2. Pour the Sweet serving into the Bitter serving, and stir to combine.