In Culinary | By Fogo Island Inn | December 28, 2017
A Tasty Tipple for 2018
Our Every Inch a Damson is the perfect tasty tipple for 2018. This cocktail showcases the diversity of our local plums (however small and tart they can sometimes be in Fogo Island’s cool growing climate). Damson's are wonderful little things, and on Fogo Island we're lucky to have a few neighbours with these exceptionally brambly and hearty fruit trees. In using both the flesh and pit in our infusions, we've created a unique cocktail that has a sharp and classically clean flavour profile, while minimizing waste. If damsons are unavailable, try plum varieties that display a tartness—often plums from cooler climates like ours.
Every Inch a Damson Cocktail Recipe
1.5 oz House Made Damson Plum Gin
0.5 oz House Made Damson Plum Pit Syrup
0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Stir all ingredients over ice. Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass. Serve neat.
How to make:
Damson Plum Gin
Pit plums and set aside. Fill a mason jar with the pitted plums. Top with Tanqueray or any other type of gin. Let sit in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks, shaking twice weekly. Strain.
Damson Plum Pit Syrup
Take the plum pits and leftover fleshy bits, and an equal volume of sugar. Place in a mason jar and shake until pits are evenly coated. Place the jar in hot water until sugar dissolves and syrup develops. Do not strain. It's okay if some pits end up in the cocktail when you are building it; they'll be strained out then.
Image credit: Nicole Wolf Photography
