Roasted Plum Cordial with Black Pepper and Soda Water

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the plums

   Preheat the oven to 210 °C. Arrange the plums cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle them evenly with the sugar, black pepper, and salt.

   
2. 2

   Roast the fruit

   Roast for 25 minutes at 210 °C, until the plums are soft and their edges begin to brown. Reserve the juices and melted sugar from the baking sheet.

   
3. 3

   Make the fruit base

   Transfer the plums and all the juices from the baking sheet to a small saucepan. Add 300 ml water, bring to a gentle boil, and cook for 5 minutes. Mash the fruit with a wooden spoon and let it stand for 10 minutes.

   
4. 4

   Strain and season

   Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a container, gently pressing the pulp with a spoon. Let the base cool, stir in 40 ml lemon juice, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes.

   
5. 5

   Pour and serve

   Divide the ice among 4 glasses. Pour in about 80 ml chilled plum base and 150 ml sparkling water per glass. Stir briefly and serve immediately, well chilled.