A hot plum juice is exactly what I need on this freezing day! While hot apple cider might be the usual choice, I decided to make something different – a delightful concoction infused with the fiery kick of ginger and the cozy aroma of cinnamon.
Contents
Plum Fruit recipe
The plum juice is a nutritious beverage derived from fresh or dried plums. It has rich antioxidant content and various health benefits. The drink is low in calories, contains a high water content, and provides essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
You can use either red or green plums to make the juice. Red plums tend to be sweeter with a slightly tart undertone. They can add a vibrant color to your plum drink. Green plums are often a bit more tart or sour than red ones. They might provide a refreshing and crisp flavor.
There are 3 ways to make plum juice drink: juicing, blending, and cooking. Juicing is the best option, but it might not work for very soft plums. The ripe or overripe plums will be easy to blend. If you choose less ripe plums, cooking plums with spices like cinnamon or ginger is a better method.
Here’s how to make Plum Juice with and without a blender/juicer. You can choose which option you want. Since I need hot juice in the cold season, I’ll choose to cook it.
If you love plums but aren’t interested in making juice, check out my other plum recipes, like pickled plums or the plum crumble dessert.
Plum Fruit Juice with/without a blender/juicer
Nutrition
Ingredients
Cooking method
- 4 cups fresh plums pitted and halved
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1- inch fresh ginger peeled and sliced
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup honey or sweetener of choice adjust to taste
- Ice cubes optional
- Plum slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish optional
Blending method
- 2 cups fresh ripe or overripe plums pitted and quartered
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup adjust to taste
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Ice cubes
Instructions
Cooking method
- In a large pot, combine the plums, cinnamon stick, and sliced ginger. Add water to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the plums are soft and the flavors have melded.
- Stir in honey or your preferred sweetener. Adjust the sweetness according to your taste preferences.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and ginger slices. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain the juice into a bowl or pitcher, pressing down on the solids to extract all the liquid.
- Pour the juice over ice cubes if desired. Garnish with plum slices and cinnamon sticks for a visually appealing touch.
Blending method
- In a blender, combine the plums, water, grated ginger, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth and well combined.
- Add honey or agave syrup to the blended mixture, adjusting the sweetness to your liking. Blend again to incorporate the sweetener.
- (Optional): If you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove pulp. This step is optional.
- Pour the plum juice into glasses over the ice and garnish with a slice of plum or a sprinkle of grated ginger.
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Pairing suggestions
Hot plum juice pairs well with rich meats like pork chops, duck, and roasted beef. It also complements spiced dishes such as hoisin-glazed ribs or soy-ginger plum salsa. Creamy cheeses like brie or goat cheese balance beautifully with the juice’s acidity.
For lighter pairings, you can enjoy hot plum juice with breakfast pastries, pancakes, or roasted plums with yogurt. It also enhances desserts like plum galette, plum cake, or vanilla ice cream.
Fresh-squeezed plum juice complements salads like plum and goat cheese salad or grilled plum salad. It also pairs well with meats such as plum-glazed chicken, roasted pork loin, and grilled steak with plum barbecue sauce.
This fresh version works great with cheese boards, desserts like plum galette or sorbet, and spiced condiments like plum chutney. It’s also a refreshing addition to cocktails, blending well with citrus and other stone fruits like peaches and cherries.
Variations
You can easily customize your plum juice with these delightful variations:
- Flavor Variations for Hot Juice
- Spicy Plum Juice adds a pinch of cayenne pepper or a cinnamon stick during the simmering process.
- Chai-Spiced Variant incorporates chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a warming touch.
- Vanilla Infusion stirs in a dash of pure vanilla extract for a hint of creamy richness.
- Refreshing Versions with Fresh Juice
- Plum Lemonade Slushy blends plum concentrate with ice for a cool, slushy treat.
- Plum Lemon Soda mixes plum syrup with chilled water and tops it off with lemon soda for a fizzy delight.
- Plum Ginger Fizz combines plum juice with ginger ale for an effervescent drink that’s perfect for summer.
- Tropical Twist blends in some pineapple or mango to create a vibrant tropical flavor profile.
- Healthier Options
- Sugar-Free Plum Juice omits the sweetener entirely or uses natural alternatives like honey or agave syrup.
- Low-Sugar Version reduces the amount of sugar or uses less ripe plums for a more tart flavor.
Health benefits
Plum juice is packed with antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin C, and polyphenols, which fight free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. It also helps slow premature aging.
The juice aids digestion thanks to its fiber, natural enzymes, and sorbitol. These prevent constipation and improve nutrient absorption. Additionally, its vitamin C boosts immunity by enhancing white blood cell production.
It supports heart health by regulating blood pressure and cholesterol. The drink strengthens bones with calcium and magnesium, improves cognitive function, and aids liver detoxification. Other benefits include kidney stone prevention and eye protection.