Let’s face it. Sundays kind of suck. The entire day, from the moment you get out of bed, feels like a countdown to Monday. You probably put off doing your laundry. Maybe your bathroom needs to be cleaned. You’re definitely not making it through all of Sunday Night Football (why do they start it so late?!). The one thing we can do to make Sunday better? Brunch. At a family dinner a few weeks ago, my mom was teasing me about how much I love brunch. “But why? What’s the point?” until finally, the truth came out. Brunch – glorious as it is with its eggs Benedict and French toast and outdoor tables – is really just an excuse to have a drink in the morning.
No point denying it – whether it’s a mimosa or a Bloody Mary or something else entirely, that illicit morning cocktail (and, yes, the giant plates of food and of course, the company) gets the dreaded Sunday off to a much better start. I don’t get out for brunch as often as I’d like anymore – I’m old and boring and you’re more likely to find me in yoga pants reading a book then on a cute patio with a mimosa – but I still love the idea of it. And while I might be too old and boring to get out for brunch/Sunday Funday every weekend myself (okay, or even once a month), I’m not too old to encourage it. So on Sundays, I’ll be bringing you Sunday Funday signature cocktails or brunch dishes – you don’t have to make them on Sundays, but you can keep them in your back pocket for when you want to stay home for the perfect mix of yoga pants and Sunday fun.
The inaugural Sunday Funday cocktail is going to be hard to top. This is an uncomplicated but sophisticated mixture of sweet-spicy plum and ginger simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and vodka. The limited ingredient list allows the subtle plum favor to shine through, perfectly complemented by the fresh heat of ginger. We cut the sweetness with just a little lime juice, shake it all up, and serve it. It’s also great on the rocks for those who find martini-type drinks too strong. Garnish with fresh plum slices or candied ginger, and you’ve got a pretty and refreshing restaurant-worthy cocktail without even leaving your kitchen.
Happy Sunday!
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 small to medium plums, sliced
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
- 3 oz vodka
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is clear, about 5-7 minutes. Add sliced plums and ginger and turn heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes on low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Strain syrup into a jar or other container.*
- In a measuring cup or cocktail shaker, combine vodka, lime juice, and 2 ounces of the plum-ginger syrup. Add 5-6 ice cubes and shake/stir until well-chilled. Strain into martini glasses, or serve over more ice. Garnish with additional sliced plum, if desired.
Don’t miss a thing – sign up to receive new recipes by email, or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.