As the heat of August cools into the mellow golden mists of autumn, and we all head back to work, school and the daily routine, it’s likely you’ll feel a little tinge of sadness at the passing of the lazy, glorious summer months. However, with the arrival of the new season comes an abundant harvest of new and delicious fruits on our shelves, hurrah!

In this alternative take on the gin and tonic, we celebrate this season’s plums and add a little touch of spiced syrup for a decadent autumn cocktail, perfect for a cosy night in.

Spiced Plum Gin & Tonic

50g caster sugar
50ml water
Cinnamon stick
Two ripe plums - save one thin slice for garnish
40ml gin
100ml tonic water (or to taste)

Take the stones out of your plums and muddle them in a bowl just enough to release some of the juices. (You can leave the skins on.)

Now add the sugar, water, muddled plums (including as much juice as possible) and cinnamon stick to a thick-bottomed saucepan and simmer over a very low heat, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes or until the sugar dissolves and the liquid forms a syrup that’s about half the original volume.

Once your syrup is ready, let it cool and strain through a muslin or very fine mesh strainer into a clean jar.

Now build your G&T by adding lots of ice to your gin glass, then adding the gin and about 15ml of the spiced plum sugar syrup. Top up with tonic, and stir with a barspoon (or long metal spoon) to mix well and chill the drink. Garnish with a paper-thin slice of plum and serve!

Tip: if you find the G&T a little sweet, add a tiny squeeze of lemon juice.

You can keep any leftover syrup in a sealed jar in the fridge - it will keep for about a month.

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